CASTLE Point’s ruling Tories need to explain why the borough’s council tax increase is way above the national average, according to an opposition leader.

The Local Government Association has revealed council tax will go up by an average of 1.7 per cent across the UK from April.

Dave Blackwell, leader of the Canvey Island Independent Party, wants to know why Castle Point’s council tax is set to go up by 2.99 per cent when residents are still feeling the pinch from the recession.

He said; “I think the increase is shocking, and let’s not forget it went up by nearly 5 per cent last year.

“Families are struggling to make ends meet at the moment and an increase in council tax is the last thing they need.”

But Jeffrey Stanley, Castle Point Council’s finance chief, said the association figures were only for county councils.

He said: “County councils get bigger grants from the Government, so that is always going to leave borough and district authorities like us having to raise extra cash.

“We have tried to be consistent with our council tax increases for the benefit of residents instead of having it go up and down like other councils.

“It’s rich of the Independent Party to criticise us when only two of their members turned up to the meeting to discuss the council tax.”