Council tax bills to rise as grants rejected

Local authorities in the South East are planning an increase in council tax despite the government offering a subsidy of £150,000 to freeze it.

Labour-led Gravesham Borough Council wants to increase its rate by 0.4%, which equates to more than £5 a year on band D properties.

Council leader John Burden warned there would be "deep cuts" in services if bills were not raised.

He said accepting the subsidy would mean far higher rises in future years.