9 January 2013 Last updated at 05:53 ET

Cornwall council tax increase of 1.97% proposed

The tax increase could help plug funding gaps, council leaders say

Households in Cornwall could see a council tax rise of nearly 2% under proposals in a draft budget.

The 1.97% increase has been proposed to Cornwall Council - equivalent to 42p a week on a Band C property.

The increase, which would come into force in April, follows a two-year council tax freeze.

Conservative-Independent authority leader Jim Currie said there was "no other real option" if the council was to provide a full range of services.

Mr Currie also argued the move would help plug an expected £6.4m budget shortfall following recent changes in council tax rules and benefit, and further cuts in government funding.

Council cabinet members are due to vote on the proposals next week before it goes to scrutiny committees, with a final decision to be made by the full council in February.

The full council tax rate for a Band C property in Cornwall is currently between £1,250 and £1,360 a year.