BAND D homeowners in north Wiltshire could have to pay an extra 8.2 pence per week or £4.27 a year in the district council element of council tax if budget proposals are given the go-ahead on Tuesday.

Members of the council's executive committee voted unanimously in favour of leader Ruth Coleman's proposals for a 3.76 per cent increase in council tax.

The proposal will now be voted upon by councillors at a meeting on Tuesday evening.

Presenting her budget proposals Ms Coleman said: "Matching the aspirations of local people, elected members and staff for the year ahead to the resources available is a difficult task as responsibilities rise and funding sources are constrained.

"The increase in council tax for this authority continues our consistent prudent approach over the last ten years, in that it represents a smaller cumulative increase than that for the county council, the Police Authority and the other Wiltshire district councils of Kennet, Salisbury and West Wiltshire.

"In proposing an increase of 3.76 per cent. I am aware that this is slightly higher than the prevailing rate of inflation. However, included within my proposal is a growth list of £1.175 million, equivalent to a council tax rise of 21 per cent.

"We have massively reduced the impact of this growth on the local tax payers by reviewing services to identify efficiency savings that can by made without affecting the level of service to the public and by reviewing the fees and charges we make to people using specific services.

"The budget provides an enhanced quality of service delivery for the public at a level that is affordable in the longer term."