Total council tax bills will go up on average by 3.21% from April.

The cost for a Band D property will go up from £1,986 in 2021/22 to £2,049.81 in 2022/23.

This cost includes contributions to other organisations such as Kent County Council and town and parish councils.

The charges were approved as part of the wider Dover District Council budget for 2022/23, voted through at a full council meeting on Wednesday.

DDC stresses that it has continued to support residents and businesses throughout the pandemic.

This has included distributing more than £47 million in grant funding from Central Government for Covid relief for businesses during the course of the pandemic and its resulting lockdowns.

The capital programme for the year, totalling around £75 million, ahead includes:

The development of the Dover Fastrack bus route.

Major restoration works on Maison Dieu.

Investment in town centre regeneration and historic buildings.

Future High Street Funding for town centre improvements

Sandwich Guildhall forecourt improvements.

Works at Dover Market Square.

Works at Tides Leisure Centre in Deal.

DDC also continues investing in a range of housing projects as part of an ongoing programme to build up to 500 new affordable homes.

Cllr Chris Vinson, DDC cabinet member for finance, said: “We remain the lowest Council Tax in East Kent, and have been able to deliver a carefully considered budget, prioritising key areas like housing, regeneration and climate change, and enabling us to continue to provide vital services, while investing in the future.”

Cllr Trevor Bartlett, Leader of Dover District Council, said: “The pandemic has been difficult for residents and businesses.

" This budget means we can continue to deliver key services for all our communities, while embracing the opportunities ahead and investing in future growth.”

DDC is also preparing to support eligible households with their energy bills with the Government’s £150 Council Tax Rebate payment.

Residents who are set up to pay the bill by direct debit by March 31 will receive the rebate automatically from April.

Further information will be provided to residents who do not pay by direct debit as soon as possible.

Dover District Council collects the council tax but takes less than 10% of it.

The most, just over 70%, is taken by Kent County Council.

For more information on council tax and the rebate scheme, see the district council tax pages dover.gov.uk/CouncilTax/Home.aspx

DDC has continued to support residents and businesses throughout the pandemic. This has included distributing over £47m in grant funding from Central Government for Covid relief for businesses during the course of the pandemic.