HOUSEHOLDS in Sedgemoor will soon be receiving their new council tax bills, with the budgets of parish, district and county authorities now decided. Sedgemoor District Council has imposed a rise of £3.93 for the year. Owners of a band D property will pay

HOUSEHOLDS in Sedgemoor will soon be receiving their new council tax bills, with the budgets of parish, district and county authorities now decided.Sedgemoor District Council has imposed a rise of £3.93 for the year. Owners of a band D property will pay £116.15 in 2007/08.The Sedgemoor figures are one of five which make up residents' total council tax bills. People in Sedgemoor also have charges from Somerset County Council, Avon and Somerset police, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue and their own parish council. Somerset County Council has also set its part of the bill, which will be £963.39 for band D properties. Sedgemoor District Council leader Duncan McGinty is blaming Somerset County Council's bid for unitary status and unrealistic Government targets for the increase imposed by his authority.He said: "I have never felt more constrained in what my group can recommend to the council. One of these constraints is the Government's target setting agenda. You cannot move without coming across a target. "This year's budget has been set in an environment of hostility created by central Government where it has pitched one council against another. Instead of working together, hostilities have been created."Cllr McGinty was referring to the recent bid by Somerset County Council to become a unitary authority. If the bid is accepted five district councils, including Sedgemoor and Mendip, will be abolished.