SENIOR Worcestershire county councillors were due to meet yesterday (Thursday, December 14) to discuss the budget for next year.

Members of the Council's executive committee will be grappling with problems arising from the recently-announced Standard Spending Assessment for the county, which at £360.9 million was less than expected.

The Council fell victim to the Area Cost Adjustment announced by the government, which saw resources being transferred to London and the south-east at the expense of authorities elsewhere in the country.

A budget for 2001/2 based on providing three per cent for inflation and increasing social services spending would be £377.2 million.

The committee was expected to look at three options which would have different impacts on the county's spending programme and council tax rates for next year.

A council tax rise of 7.5 per cent would mean a budget of £373.7 million, which would mean spending cuts in education, social services or other services.

An increase of 10.7 per cent would mean continuation of current funding in education and social services, but with no growth in other services.

And an increase in 13 per cent would mean education and social services would be funded and there would be £200,000 available for other services.

The County Council's budget is by far and away the largest element of the Council Tax.