A council tax increase for people living in Norwich has edged closer.

Norwich City Council's controlling Labour cabinet this week agreed to put forward an increase of 1.95pc on its share of the tax.

A final decision on the authority's budget - and on whether to increase council tax - will be made when the full council meets on Tuesday, February 23.

Alan Waters, Labour leader of the city council, said the authority , which is looking to set a revenue budget of £16.1m for the next 12 months, needed to be firm over the increase at a time of uncertainty in local government financing.

And with the council potentially needing to save around £10.3m over the next five years, he warned: 'On the current projections, we will be running fewer services in the years ahead.'

Norfolk County Council will set its budget and share of the tax on Monday, February 22. Political leaders at County Hall have signalled they will consider a 3.99pc increase.

Police and crime commissioner Stephen Bett's proposal to freeze the share which goes to Norfolk Constabulary was vetoed by the police and crime panel this week

He is considering his response to that veto and the panel will hear from him again on Tuesday, February 16.

• Would you be happy to pay more in council tax? Write, giving full contact details, to Letters Editor, Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich NR1 1RE or email dan.grimmer@archant.co.uk