MID Devon District Council set its budget on Wednesday and agreed a 1.5% increase in its share of council tax for the financial year 2010/11 – a figure 0.3% less than the national average.

Council Leader Peter Hare-Scott said: “We have to bear in mind that many people are finding it tough nowadays and we have to play our part in helping them cope financially.

“We have managed to achieve this without any reduction at all in our frontline services.

“The council’s finances are now on a much sounder footing than three years ago and we are determined to pursue our tight financial management strategies so that we are in the best position to maintain our services as we confront the financial squeeze which will affect all councils.

“The budget is only the start – we will continue to look for ways to make savings and efficiencies throughout the year and not give in to calls to fritter cash on non-essentials.”

The 1.5% increase means that Mid Devon residents will pay just over five pence extra per week in the district council’s share of their council tax bills.

This means that the average Band D household will pay Mid Devon £182.15, compared to £179.46 this year.

The Mid Devon increase is lower than the Devon County Council increase of 1.98%, the Devon & Cornwall Police Authority increase of 4.95% and the Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority increase of 3.74%.

The total council tax bill for an average Band D household will increase from £1,522.31 this year to £1,558.55 in 2010/11.