THIS year s low North Somerset Council tax bill will mean larger hikes in future years, according to its employees union. Last month the unitary authority announced a 1.9 per cent increase.

THIS year's low North Somerset Council tax bill will mean larger hikes in future years, according to its employees union.

Last month the unitary authority announced a 1.9 per cent increase.

UNISON is calling on residents to speak to their ward members before a full council meeting on February 19, when the proposed raise will be finalised.

A protest will take place outside the council's offices before 6pm the same day.

UNISON'S North Somerset chairman, Helen Thornton, said: "A below inflation increase will make much larger increases necessary in future years. The alternative will be further cuts to already stretched public services."

The authority made cuts to services after announcing a £17.2million funding gap last year.

However, it received a better than expected Government grant which meant it could set an inflation-busting council tax increase of 1.9 per cent.

Town Hall UNISON members say elderly, disabled people and vulnerable children will be hardest hit by the Conservative administration's budget cuts.