Householders living in Maldon face a 9.5 per cent rise in their council tax, while Chelmsford faces one of the lowest rises.

The average bill for a band D property in Maldon is set to rise by £96.90 in 2002/3, from £885.64 to £982.54 - an increase of almost 11 per cent.

Jon Cook, the council's finance manager, said the main reason for this jump has been because interest rates have dropped since September 11.

The district authority is a net lender of money and a large segment of its income is from interest payments, but these have fallen over the past six months so council tax is rising to cover the shortfall.

Maldon District Council's precept has been recommended by the cabinet committee and is due to be approved at a meeting of the full council on February 28.

Chelmsford residents will see a 4.9 percent council tax rise - one of the lowest in Essex.

Leader of the council Mike Mackrory (Lib Dem, Springfield North) said the rise in council tax would mean an increase of 11 pence a week to band D households, rising from £115.11 to £120.85 a year.

Published Thursday, February 21, 2002