COUNCIL tax payers in the Vale seem to have avoided the threat of a double-figure increase in taxes for the next financial year.

Worcestershire County Council last week agreed a rise of just under 10% and, on Tuesday, Wychavon District Council agreed to an increase of 2.5%.

The county's share of the tax is by far the largest and pushes its charge on the typical Band D house up by £1.17 a week to £672.62 a year after it set its budget at just over £378 million.

The budget was agreed after a last-minute deal between Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors.

Lib Dem councillor Liz Tucker, deputy leader of the council, said: "There will be no cuts in education, meaning that the teachers' pay award will be funded in full and we will be able to match any new government funding pound for pound.

"The extra £4 million for social services will address the growing demands of older people and vulnerable children needing care."

Wychavon's decision this week to adopt the ruling Conservative group's budget increases its precept by just 4p a week for Band D payers.

When the police authority precept of £78.50 at Band D and town and parish council precepts are added, Evesham residents will be paying £876.33 at Band D, Pershore £876.21 and other villages at least £838.18.