Council tax is to go up by just over two per cent in Tonbridge and Malling.

The borough council agreed its share of the council tax should go up by 2.94 per cent – about £4.91 a year for those living in a Band D home – at a meeting on Thursday, February 18.

Taking into account increases agreed by Kent County Council, Kent Police Authority and Kent & Medway Fire & Rescue Authority, council tax bills will go up by 2.32 per cent in Tonbridge and Malling. People living in parished areas will see slight variations, depending upon the council tax levels set by their own parish councils.

Tonbridge and Malling councillors agreed services shouldn’t be cut this year, despite a dramatic fall in revenue and investments as the effects of the recession continue to bite.

But to do that, bills must rise.

Councillors say their rolling-six-year financial plan has enabled them to avoid ‘knee-jerk’ reactions during the economic downturn and take a broad and measured approach to budget issues.

Council leader Cllr Mark Worrall, pictured, said: "We know that this recession has hit everyone hard and we have done everything we can to minimise the financial burden for residents.

"We have made substantial efficiency savings in the last two years and, with more savings in our back office and management functions planned this year, we have been able to agree a broadly ‘standstill’ budget which means we can continue with our current range of services.

"We are very aware how much residents value our non-statutory services such as the Summer Playscheme, Activate Programme, play areas, leisure facilities, environmental projects and community events like the Tonbridge Castle Festival of Music and Fireworks and I am pleased that these will go ahead as planned.

"But we are by no means ‘out of the woods’ and I have no doubt that there are tough times ahead.

"We have had to make certain assumptions when preparing this year’s budget in the face of many unknown quantities including inflation, government-imposed pay controls and capping.

"It may be that there will be a need for further savings if the Government of the day, following the general election, reduces its grants to local authorities as part of its Comprehensive Spending Review.

"However, the council’s financial position is sound, which means that these savings could be phased in over a period of years rather than imposed in a single year."

Cllr David Aikman, the council’s cabinet member for finance, said: "These are unprecedented times but we are determined that through careful financial planning we will be able to ‘steer’ our way through the difficult times ahead.

"With so many financial ‘unknowns’, it has been almost impossible to prioritise areas for capital investment but we will continue with the Car Park Enhancement Programme as well as planned improvements to leisure facilities across the borough including new toilets in Larkabout at Larkfield Leisure Centre, upgrading of the toilets, changing facilities and conference rooms at the Angel Centre and the refurbishment of Tonbridge Farm Pavilion."

The Council Tax booklet and bills with full council tax details for 2010/11 will be delivered to residents in March.

Residents on a low income or who live alone may be eligible for a reduction in council tax. For more information, please call 01732 876388 or email financial.services@tmbc.gov.uk.