Borough Council leader Brian Gurden has complained that the Basingstoke authority is being blamed for the 15 per cent increase in next year's council tax.

Cllr Gurden told the latest Cabinet meeting: "I want to emphasise that the borough council has a dual role. We are responsible for collecting council tax for those services that we provide - but we also collect the council tax on behalf of Hampshire County Council, the police authority and the parishes. Then we hand it on to the various recipients.

"It is quite understandable for the public to be mystified by this. They get a council tax demand that asks for a huge amount of money - over a four-figure sum for the average band D house. Overall, it is a 15 per cent increase - a 15 per cent rise by the county, a 29.5 per cent rise by the police and only 2.5 per cent from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council. It is also our first council tax increase for four years.

"But people get mystified as to what they are paying for. When we say we are only increasing our council tax by around inflation, at only 2.5 per cent, they say: 'Hold on -you are taking 15 per cent more from us.'

"We are constrained by law as to how we present the information on countil expenditure that goes out with the council tax demands. I know people will look at the bottom line and shudder at the cost. Then out fall three small documents going into massive detail - who is going to read all that after the shock?

"We have simplified it on our leaflet and tried to make it more understandable, saying what we charge for our services. We are also thinking of taking out an advertisement in the local paper which emphasises in plain English and separates our services and council tax from all the rest. We don't want to be blamed for running a tight ship and being prudent.

"In the coming year, our net spend on services is going up by nearly 14 per cent - but our portion of the council tax is only increasing by 2.5 per cent. We don't have to charge large sums because we are so efficient."

Speaking of the large increase in the police precept, Cabinet member for environmental sustainability, Cllr Ron Hussey, said: "I have a large number of residents who express concerns about crime and anti-social behaviour in their area. We need more policing in the area. I am sure that we, as a borough, will be making that loud and clear to the police authority."

Council tax for the average band D house in Basingstoke for the year 2003/4 due in April will be £1,029.50, compared with £895.33 for the current year. This new figure comprises £844.56 for the county council, £97.29 for the police and £87.65 for Basingstoke council.