COUNCIL tax in Winchester is set to rise.

The city council is due an increase an average band D council tax of £4.34 a year for 2017-18, to protect frontline services.

Residents of the Winchester town area would see their bill increase by an additional £1.90, in line with their ‘special expense charge’.

Currently band D properties pay £130.65 and £63.31 for Winchester town.

The portfolio holder for finance, Cllr Stephen Godfrey said: “We must consider these increases to protect frontline services that are essential to many and improve quality of life for all – housing, community safety, collecting rubbish and recycling, parking, animal welfare, food safety, tourism, sport and many more.

“The grants Winchester City Council receives from central Government stop next year. By careful planning we have absorbed much of this change - reducing the net cost of delivering services and sourcing new funding, including an enhanced investment strategy.

“Winchester is likely to remain in the lowest third of districts nationwide for its level of council tax.”

Any increases would be combined with precepts set by Hampshire County Council and other authorities to make the final council tax bill for 2017-18.

City council bosses say the authority is continuing to be transformed into an entrepreneurial council after losing government funding.