FOR the fourth year running the council tax increase for residents in the Rossendale Valley will be below the rate of inflation.

A 2.9 per cent rise for the next year was confirmed at a meeting of the borough’s full council and means a 9p per week increase for people in band A.

Council bosses confirmed that the budget would enable the Pride in Rossendale initiative to continue providing floral displays, new bins and benches to be installed in the borough.

Parks and play areas will be improved and more resources will be used to tackle dog fouling, littering and fly-tipping.

Coun Brian Essex said: “We know that people are tightening their belts and cutting back on what they spend, so we have worked hard to keep the tax rise as low as we can.

“Unfortunately, the recession is also having an impact on the income the council receives from the services related to the property market including planning, building control and land charges.”