Broadland district councillors have agreed to a 4.3pc increase in council tax.

The rise will see an average increase of £4.99 per year for a Band D property - any greater rise would require a referendum.

The rise was approved by an overwhelming majority, with 28 for, three against and one abstention at a meeting on Thursday night.

The increase is the second successive maximum rise of the district's portion of council tax after a seven year freeze.

Council tax bills are made up of portions paid to the county council, districts, parishes and the police authority.

Norfolk County Council agreed in January to increase its share of council tax by 5.99pc.

The police and crime commissioner will also see a 5.5pc rise for the cost of policing.

For Broadland residents this totals an increase of almost £100, with those living in Band D properties paying £94.51 more a year.

Councillor Trudy Mancini-Boyle, portfolio holder for finance at Broadland District Council, said: 'No one wants to see a rise in council tax. However, it is important that we are able to help those most in need and continue to maintain high quality services.

'We have restricted our increase to £4.99 in order to achieve this, although I appreciate that residents will see a rise in other aspects of their bill.'

The decision comes following a report on public consultations illustrated overwhelming support for the increase.

The report said: 'The public consultation on the budget had received 31 responses. Of these, 27 were in favour of a rise in council tax in order to protect the key services provided by the council, two neither agreed nor disagreed and two strongly disagreed.

'Members were asked to note the pressure on services throughout the council and in particular those relating to Universal Credit and housing benefit changes.'

The decision will allow for an additional £5 rise in the special expense charge in parishes such as Hellesdon and Drayton, to cover the cost of footway lighting, which Norfolk County Council has refused to continue paying for.

The £4.99 rise will be included in bills for 2018/19, which Broadland residents will receive in the coming weeks alongside a Buy in Broadland booklet containing discount vouchers for various Broadland businesses.