COUNCIL house tenants face a hefty rise of £423 a week from April.

The 13.7 per cent increase approved by members of Warrington Housing Committee on Monday, is required to meet inflation costs and to comply with new gas safety regulations.

Housing chairman Clr George Syers said: "This has been one of the most difficult decisions we have ever had to take.

"Unfortunately, we must by law balance the housing account and we are faced with a gap that could not be bridged any other way.

"Overall, council rent levels in Warrington are currently among the lowest in the region and the second lowest in Cheshire."

An additional reason for the steep increase is the withdrawal of Government subsidy which had formed part of the public spending plans inherited by the new Labour Government.

The actual increase paid by tenants will vary according to their current payment - some will be above or below the £4.23 rate.

As tenants pay their rent over a 46-week collection period rather than 52, the actual amount paid will be higher than that quoted.

The six rent free weeks have been popular with tenants who find them helpful in managing their budgets at periods of financal pressure such as Walking Day and Christmas.

Warrington Borough Council has pledged to ensure that services will remain at least at their present level. In addition, several new schemes will be implemented under the Government's Capital Receipts Initiative, which gives Warrington permission to borrow extra money for certain projects.

There are 11,373 council tenants in the town of whom 62 per cent receive varying amounts of housing benefit.

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