Ipswich Borough Council has proposed a below inflation increase of 2.95% for its share of council tax in the coming year. This will mean a 20p a week increase for Band D home-owners, although the majority of residents live in Band B properties and will face a 12.6p weekly increase.
The Council's Conservative and Liberal Democrat joint administration has prepared a comprehensive budget which also recommends a below inflation rise in fees and charges for many services of 3.1%.
Councillor John Carnall, the Council's Finance portfolio-holder, said: "We are determined to do our best for Ipswich residents by keeping the council tax rise as low as possible - and lower than the rate of inflation as measured by the Retail Price Index, which is currently 4.1%. This is the fourth year running that we have brought in below inflation rises.
"We are especially pleased to have achieved this after we were given a financial settlement from the Government of just 1.8% - well below the seven percent awarded to the County Council.
"We are also determined to raise the level of services, providing increasing numbers of affordable homes and continuing to support important facilities such as the Regent Theatre and the Corn Exchange and to invest in protecting our environment. We cut waste and red tape, not services."
Ipswich Borough Council's share of the total council tax bill is around a fifth: the overwhelming majority of the cash goes to the County Council and the Police Authority.
The proposed budget will firstly go to the Council's Executive next week and then to full Council later this month for final approval.