CRITICS have hit out at this year's 3.5% council tax rise in Hampshire, the smallest increase in more than 30 years.

Protest groups Isitfair and South Hampshire Opposes Unfair Taxes (SHOUT), condemed the controlling Conservative group on the county council, along with opposition Lib Dem and Labour councillors.

The 3.5% increase, voted through on Wednesday, means the annual charge for a Band D property will be just under £870, an increase of £29 a year, before £113.76 for the Police Authority, £52 to the county Fire and Rescue Service, and local council precepts are added.

Council leader Ken Thornber said the "value for money" figure had been achieved by added efficiency, extra money from Westminster, and using £6m of reserves.

He added there would be no cuts in jobs or services.

But Christine Melsom, of Isitfair, was not impressed.

"We won't be satisfied until there is no rise at all," she told members.

Mike Schofield, from SHOUT, said that council tax was flawed because it did not reflect people's ability to pay.

Lib Dem leader Adrian Collett accused the Tories of collecting too much tax in previous years to fund a smaller rise ahead of the council elections in May.

He added that too much was being spent on public relations, which he suggested was another ploy to win votes.

Mr Collett called for an extra £4m of reserves to be used in order to deliver a 2.5% tax rise, and argued that £1m more should be allocated to combating anti-social behaviour and £390,000 to attract new foster carers.

Mr Collett said the Lib Dems also wanted the Hampshire County Youth Service to receive an extra £500,000.

The Labour group also accused the Tories of under-funding the youth service and said they would make £250,000 available.

Mr Thornber agreed that more cash was needed, and in an unusual twist, urged Tory members to back the Labour amendment. A vote was taken and all three parties supported the £250,000 windfall.

Tory members then voted against the Lib Dem proposals, and approved their own budget.

* At the same meeting, the council increased the annual allowances members can claim by 3.5%, in line with the tax rise.

Leader, Ken Thornber, can now claim up to £37,421, while his cabinet colleagues are entitled to £26,838. Backbenchers can claim up to £10,963.