by Sam Lennon

Council tax bills in Ashford are expected to go up by just under 3 per cent this year.

The average Band D cost per household from April, excluding parish precepts, is expected to be £1,399.94.

This is a rise of 2.77 per cent (£37.69) on the present 2009/10 bill of £1,362.25.

This falls under this week's sudden jump in inflation from 2.4 to 3.5 per cent but overall is below the Government's recommended limit of three per cent.

The charge is being voted on by Ashford borough's full council tonight (Feb 18).

It is also subject to change following the Kent County Council budget vote today.

The borough council's element of the council tax at Band D is an increase of £5.40 for the year or 45 pence per month. Its charge makes up 9.93 per cent of the total bill.

The recommended budget requirement in Ashford for 2010/11 is £14.69 million, an increase of £0.536 million.