RESIDENTS in the Basingstoke area face a hefty hike in council tax as Hampshire County Council has to find more money to deliver its services.

Although Basingstoke council chiefs have pledged there will be no rise in its portion of the council tax for the next financial year, the county authority predicts the rise in its slice will be between eight and nine per cent.

Final figures are still being sorted out and the county authority will continue in the new year to consult with businesses, voluntary organisations and other interest groups, including its citizens panel, before the budget goes before the full council in February.

But the county has received a blow after being given a poor standard spending assessment, meaning it faces less central government cash to help it provide services.

Cllr Ken Thornber, leader of Hampshire County Council, said: "It is disappointing to discover that one of the largest county councils in England has received the second lowest standard spending assessment.

"Government is continuing to shift the financial burden onto local people instead of funding key services like social services.

"Government only funds two-thirds of services. The remaining third has to be met by increases to the council tax."

Cllr Thornber said the council was planning on raising the overall budget by about six per cent, which would result in an eight to nine per cent council tax increase.

The forecast is in line with the majority of county councils, at least a third of which are considering increases of 10 per cent or more.