COUNCIL tax payers in the New Forest look set to be hit with an increase of almost £70 from April.

Owners of an average Band D property in the Forest are facing an inflation-busting rise of 4.52 per cent, taking their overall bill to £1,603 for 2017/18.

The amount will be finalised tonight when the district council holds its annual budget meeting.

The total bill paid by each household will comprise the sums levied by Hampshire County Council, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority, Hampshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner and the district council.

County councillors say the authority needs more money to pay for adult social care.

Its budget for the coming financial year means the council tax paid by each Band D taxpayer in the Forest will rise by £53.82 to £1,113 - an increase of five per cent.

The amount collected by the district council will rise by £5 to £163.36 - an increase of 3.16 per cent.

Hampshire Police and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority have agreed rises of £5 and £1.24 respectively, resulting in increases of 3.12 per cent and 1.98 per cent.

But the total amount paid by each Band D householder in the Forest always depends on the sums levied by individual parish councils.

A report to tonight’s meeting says parish councils have raised their precepts by an average of £4.22 - an increase of 5.72 per cent.