CASH-strapped West Somerset Council has welcomed a "slightly more than expected" increase in Government funding for the new financial year beginning in April.

Local Government Minister Barbara Follett this week announced the central funding allocations for English councils for 2010/11, revealing a 0.7 per cent increase for West Somerset - or an extra £23,000 on the current year's £3.277 million package.

Whitehall will be handing out a total of £76.3 billion next year, an increase of four per cent, leading Ms Follett to declare that Council Tax rises should be the lowest for 16 years.

However, despite West Somerset's increase, it still finds itself at the bottom of the pile of Somerset authorities.

Neighbouring Taunton Deane will receive 2.2 per cent more in its settlement, with Sedgemoor coming in at 1.8 per cent and Mendip and South Somerset each getting 1.3 per cent.

Somerset County Council will see a 5.5 per cent increase and the Avon and Somerset police 3.5 per cent.

West Somerset leader Cllr Keith Ross said: "The indicated 0.7 per cent increase is slightly more than expected and the £23,000 will be put to good use in maintaining essential services.

"However, it is disappointing that our increase is half the average district increase of 1.4 per cent and the lowest increase in Somerset."

He added: "Rural districts with limited industry and employment suffer deprivation and lack of accesses to rural services.

"We would have hoped our increase would have been in line with those of other districts so that the money could be put towards improving access and opportunities."

The Government has warned it is ready to take capping action on any councils imposing what it describes as "excessive" Council Tax rises.

The current year's average increase of three per cent across English councils was the lowest for 15 years, but West Somerset imposed a levy of 4.9 per cent and is still struggling to balance its books.