Rob GarrattPeople living in Breckland will see a record low increase in council tax after leaders voted through the council's budget for the next 12 months.Rob Garratt

People living in Breckland will see a record low increase in council tax after leaders voted through the council's budget for the next 12 months.

A combined total council tax rate has been totted up and ticked off by the authority's full council.

Breckland agreed a zero rise in their slice of the bill last month, and yesterday it was added to a record low increase for Norfolk County Council's share, which makes up the bulk of council tax bill, as well as Norfolk Police and parish councils' contributions.

The average charge payer will see an increase of just under 2pc to their combined bill, with a band D property in Dereham paying �1,478.05 over the financial year from April; which works out as �147.81 in ten monthly payments, or �28.42 a week.

Contributions to Norfolk County Council have increased by a record low of 1.9pc, with annual contribution for a standard band D property increasing by �21.33 from �1,123.74 to �1,145.07. Meanwhile Norfolk Police's annual slice for the same home has increased by just over 3pc - or around �6 - to �191.16.

These costs have been added to the rate set by Breckland - which has been frozen at �64.05 for a band D property - and parish council bills, which have risen in Breckland by an average of 2.4pc and range from nothing to �81.45 a year, and include specialist street lighting expenses.

Deputy leader William Smith said the council held an 'aspiration' to maintain its current rate, the lowest district council rate in the country, until 2013.

He added: 'Officers and members have worked well to produce and maintain council tax at its current levels, maintaining the quality of public services and robustness of public finances.'