Taxpayers in Southend face an increase of nearly 16 per cent, but the borough is still better off than most of Essex.

Members of the council's cabinet are to recommend on Tuesday a figure for an average Band D property of £941.89 next year.

For Southend Council services, this means an increase of 15.7 per cent.

The figure will be slightly higher in Leigh where residents on Band D will have to pay an additional £12.89 for the town council.

Southend Band D figures will be nearly £100 less than the predicted national average and well below the expected figures of £1,173.87 for Castle Point and £1,131.62 for Rochford.

Published Friday, February 7, 2003

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