QUESTIONS have been raised about the increase in council tax charges in Birchwood.

One resident contacted the Guardian after he noticed his fees for his Band C property had increased by £72.81 due to a rise in the precept from Birchwood Town Council from £32.662 to £65.47 - more than 100 per cent.

Clr Paul Ross, chairman of the town council has defended the increase and says residents in Birchwood are seeing a lot for their money.

In a statement, Clr Ross said: "This gives the opportunity to further expand the development of more local facilities and services in Birchwood for which residents have expressed recognition and support over the past few years.

"It will mean that for the next year the town council can speed up its programme of installing new recreation facilities in schools, expand its maintenance teams from two to three, continue its existing programme for regular litter and landscape maintenance and graffiti removal to name a sample of present activities.

"We will be providing money to enhance the provision of new footpaths, new lighting schemes which are badly needed in Birchwood, and anti-vandalism measures with funding for a possible new community police officer. We are also introducing a new footpath and side road winter gritting service, as well as increasing the availability of low-cost community facilities at Parkers Farm on Delenty Drive, and continue the Birchwood in Bloom initiative and publishing the community news magazine."

And he added that extensive grant aid was given to a host of community projects.