Northamptonshire CC's draft budget proposes a council tax increase of 2.99% for next year after ministers agreed the county could use up to £70m of capital receipts to plug funding gaps.

The commissioners sent in to rescue the failing authority asked for the capital spend dispensation to build a more stable financial base. Half of the £70m will be used to tackle the 2017-18 deficit and another £20m will boost the council's depleted reserves.