COUNCIL tax will almost certainly be kept below £700 for the average family in Brighton and Hove.

The figures will be more than £100 cheaper than other Sussex towns when the rates are finalised in March.

The rate for Band D properties in the towns, currently £652, is unlikely to break the £700 barrier when the council sets its figure on March 4.

In the current year, Brighton and Hove was the only Sussex council to set its council tax charge for a typical Band D property at below £700.

Next year Band D property figures are likely to rise from £734 to £829 in Eastbourne and from £709 to £801 in Worthing.

Brighton and Hove Council leader Lord Bassam would not be drawn on a more specific figure for the likely council tax figure.

But he added that most people would pay far less than the £700 target because the majority of homes in Brighton and Hove are in the lower A, B and C tax bands.

The figures were announced by council leader Lord Bassam and finance chairwoman Lynette Gwyn Jones last night.

It followed the news that Brighton and Hove Council has now received a far better cash settlement from the Government after Lord Bassam and council executives lobbied ministers.

The Government has agreed to improve its cash settlement by more than £2 million to £154 million.

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