Council tax could rise by 10.9%

The Borough Council had been recommended a 13.1% rise before extra money was granted to local government by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

In his pre-budget statement on Thursday, Gordon Brown announced an extra �340m for local government in England.

Swindon will get �1.19m of this, which it says is not ring fenced for any particular services.

The council has said that the extra money could lead to a 10.9% rise.

Council leader Mike Bawden told the BBC: "I'd like to say that we remain one of the lowest-funded authorities in the country.

"I do acknowledge the extra money, but we are still at the bottom of the pack and do face some tough decisions."