Council tax-payers in Ledbury can expect around a 10 per cent increase on the bill this financial year, even though Herefordshire Council is considering a £400,000 round of budget cuts.

Only education and social care are certain to escape cuts, and even with reductions to other services, the unitary authority's precept demand is still expected to increase by around nine per cent.

Without cuts, Herefordshire Council's required slice of the Council Tax pie is expected to reach 10.02 per cent.

The county's policy and finance programme panel was due to meet today (Friday). The Cabinet will discuss its recommendations on February 22, and the full council will set its final precept on March 9.

County treasurer Ian Hyson said: "I would expect an increase to be higher than the average but we are looking at 10 per cent increase on the lowest Council Tax in the West Midlands."

Herefordshire Council is facing "unavoidable" increases in audit fees, land drainage and fire service costs, higher costs in care for the elderly, and for children's services.

Mr Hyson expected West Mercia Constabulary's precept to rise by around six per cent, from £74.15 to £78.50, for Band D.

Ledbury Town Council's demand is expected to rise from £56.53 to £59.77, for Band D.

If Herefordshire Council approves a 10.02 per cent rise, its Band D demand will climb from £677.45 to £745.34.

Taken together, the total Band D Council Tax for a Ledbury resident would be £883.61, compared with last year's figure of £808.13 - a rise of over 10 per cent.

If the £400,000 budget cuts go through, then Herefordshire Council's demand for band D would fall to £737.75, a rise of just under 9 per cent.

The total demand would then be around £876.02, a total rise of just under 10 per cent.