Council tax on the up

COUNCIL tax in Calderdale will rise by 4.8%.

The benchmark Band D moves up from £1,175 a year to £1,231, an increase of £56.

Decisions taken at a council meeting last night include a reprieve for the public Wainwright Hall at Elland.

Tory Cabinet members had wanted to shut it to save money. But they withdrew the plan after protests from residents.

Council tax charges from April will be:

* Band A £821 (present charge £783)

* Band B £958 (£914)

* Band C £1,094 (£1,044)

* Band D £1,231 (£1,175)

* Band E £1,505 (£1,436)

* Band F £1,778 (£1,436)

* Band G £2,052 (£1,958)

* Band H £2,463 (£2,349).