20 February 2013 Last updated at 09:46 ET

Council tax in Herefordshire to rise amid service cuts

Herefordshire Council will raise council tax following a two-year freeze

Council tax bills in Herefordshire will rise by 1.9% this year.

Herefordshire Council members voted unanimously to the increase and also agreed savings of about £9.1m.

The union Unison has warned the cuts will "hit the front line and affect core council services."

John Jarvis, leader of the Conservative-controlled council, said: "We have openly stated that we are facing a challenging time with many difficult decisions ahead of us."

The council tax rise is the first for two years and will increase Band D Council Tax by £22.90 to £1,227.99.

Savings have been identified through proposals to change refuse collection services, reduce library and customer service centre opening hours and cancel some public transport routes.