COUNCIL tax in South Gloucestershire is being discussed at a variety of meetings across the region.

Residents are being asked for their opinion on tax levels, which will be set on February 23. South Gloucestershire Council last year raised council tax by 6.8 percent.

The rise was met with furious opposition from district councillors, particularly Liberal Democrats whose party policy is to scrap council tax altogether and replace it with what leader Charles Kennedy calls a fairer system.

Lib Dems on the council last year met outside Kingswood Civic Chamber before the meeting to set the new tax rate to protest at the huge hike they say councillors were forced to make.

All three parties on the council agreed they had to increase taxes last year because of Local Minister Nick Raynsford's decision to withhold £4.1million of the council's annual grant.

For 2005-2006 however, the council expects a significant increase in government support and does not therefore need to raise the rate of council tax so drastically.

For 2005-2006 it proposes to increase the amount a household pays by 3.8 percent. If such a rise goes ahead, homeowners living in a Band C property would pay £902.47, compared to £869.43 in 2004/05.

People with a Band D property would pay £37.17 extra, meaning a rise from £978.11 to £1,015.28.

All changes will come into effect on April 1.

Proposing the increased charges, the council has made numerous pledges to improve services for residents of South Gloucestershire over the next financial year.

A new mother and baby unit is planned for the district and more care beds will be provided for the frail and infirm.

The largest injection of cash is expected to go into supporting the elderly live at home, with £630,000 being spent on improving home care services.

Bus services will be improved and £100,000 will be spent on improving road and transport networks in the area.

People can now have their say on what the tax rise should be by attending council-run area forums, where councillors will listen to public opinion.

Select committees of the council will also be discussing the issue during the next two months before recommendations are finalised at a cabinet meeting on February 14.

Residents can also write to Budget Consultation at the council's offices in Castle Street, Thornbury or email budget@southglos.gov.uk

For information on times and dates of area forums visit www.southglos.gov.uk