Residents and businesses are being invited to have their say on Breckland Council's draft budget for 2017/18.

From today (Friday) the authority is launching a public consultation on the plans, which runs until January 22.

Key features of the draft budget include council tax rises of at least 2pc per year and increasing business rate contributions by enabling businesses to grow.

Other features include:

• Strong position to provide a balanced budget for 2016-17, and in the medium term

• Total savings/new income of £2.68m to be delivered by 'Moving Forward', the council's change programme, by 2020/21 (£898,000 – one third – has already been achieved)

• No dependency on reserves to support revenue

• Reducing reliance on revenue support grant to nil by 2019/20

Although Breckland Council is proposing at least a 2pc rise in council tax, it still expects to remain the lowest charging district council in England.

Council leader William Nunn said: 'I am pleased to say that our long track record of prudent financial management and innovative approach to income generation puts us in a strong position to provide a balanced budget for 2017-18, and beyond.

'But we are never complacent. We continue to look for efficiency savings whilst maintaining and enhancing the key services that our residents rely on - through our ambitious change programme, 'Moving Forward'.'

Mr Nunn said ongoing commitments included providing new homes, new and growing businesses and more job opportunities.

All responses to Breckland Council's draft budget consultation will be considered as part of the budget planning process ahead of consideration by the council's cabinet on February 7 and full council on February 23.

Paper copies of the budget can be viewed in the council's reception area at its offices at Elizabeth House in Dereham.

To request a paper copy of the budget, call the Customer Services Team on 01362 656 870.

Alternatively, visit www.breckland.gov.uk to view the draft budget in full or for further details on how to respond.