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District councils 'starved of cash,' leaders warn

District councils have claimed they are being starved of cash while county authorities are allowed to raise their bills by more.

District councils have claimed they are being starved of cash while county authorities are allowed to raise their bills by more.

A survey by the District Councils' Network (DCN) found 77% of respondents were raising council tax by the maximum possible amount or very close to the maximum allowed without a referendum.

DCN finance spokesperson Peter Fleming said: ‘While county councils, the police and parish councils were permitted to increase their portions of bills by a far higher percentage than district councils our universal services are being starved of cash, with a below inflation cap on any increase, damaging our communities and our ability to steer our places through these difficult times.'

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