HOUSEHOLDS in Blackpool are set to see a dramatic increase in council tax rates as officials in the resort unveils budget plans for the new financial year.

Despite having one of the lowest rates in Lancashire the council tax is set to cost taxpayers up to 12.9 per cent more than in previous years.

Council officials claim that the move was conceived by the suggestions of residents through consultations at Area Forum meetings throughout the year.

One suggested reason for the increase is centred upon recent Government cut-backs based on plummeting census figures in 2001 which saw the resort population decrease by 8,000. And resulted in a £2m reduction in government cash grants for Blackpool which as a unitary authority has overall responsibility for allotment of its funds.

Other possible reasons for the increase have been blamed upon rising waste disposal costs, previously low council tax rates, increased pay/national insurance costs and the need to fund the town's capital programme.

Blackpool council leader, Councillor Roy Fisher says the move will bring the area into line with other authorities in the north west while ultimately allowing more control of their finances.

Cllr Fisher said: "The community has had a much bigger say over the way services should be delivered since the introduction of Area Forums.

"We've listened to what people have been telling us and next year's proposals are our way of responding to what residents are telling us they want."

"And this is a result of the government's commitment to move away from tax collection on a national basis to a more locally-based system, giving local authorities more autonomy and control of their finances.

"And still means Blackpool will be the lowest in Lancashire for the 8th year running, hundreds of pounds lower than some other authorities including Fylde and Wyre.

"As a council we need to balance the cost of improving Blackpool's services with the amount of Council Tax people can afford to pay but I am committed to keeping Blackpool's tax as the lowest in the county.

"The council needs to balance spending pressures, many of which are unavoidable or demand-led, whilst trying to avoid an unacceptable increase."

The extra cash is set to be spent on a number of 'frontline' public services which would see an increase in the number of teachers and social workers employed by the authority.

And the introduction of a ward-by-ward community safety initiative and a new 'one-stop-shop' council centre, alongside cash boosts to local libraries, youth enterprises and a £500,000 scheme to end illegal street trading in the town.

But one angry resident, of Newcastle Avenue, said: "It's a case of asking the question 'will we get out what we put in'? If we're going to see a substantial increase in council tax then we want to start seeing improvements to public services.

"The council are asking people to fork out for something which they cannot prove will be of direct benefit to taxpayers.

"Past experience of the council's allotment of funds has boosted tourism and raised the profile of businesses in town but what about normal everyday people?"