MANY 'average' homes in Dorset will be paying around £2,700 a year in council tax from April – those with the biggest properties hitting £5,300 a year in some places.

Even at the lowest end of the scale, Band A properties will be paying £1,667, although will still have to add parish or town precepts to that sum.

These figures are the minimum amount payable taking into account the Dorset Council share, combined with charges for Fire and Rescue and the Police services.

In addition almost all residents will also have to add in a parish or town council precept which vary widely, with just a handful of parish areas making no precept.

Examples of the precept for the 'average' Band D property include Affpuddle and Turnerspuddle charging £51.44; Blandford forum £253.83; Bridport £204.44; Crossways £59.48; Dorchester £214.54; Lyme Regis £68.82; Shaftesbury £219.67; Sherborne £269.76; Swanage £188.86; Studland £153.20; Wareham £247.55; Weymouth £199.70 and Wimborne £148.50.

Dorset Council say that despite the higher charges many people do not pay the full amount of council tax with allowances made for single occupancy; those in receipt of certain benefits and other reasons including owning an empty and unfurnished property.

It is estimated that more than 20,000 Dorset households receive Council Tax Support; 10,000 pensioners; 60,000 receiving the single person discount and 1,300 disabled reductions.

The council achieves one of the highest collection rates for council tax among authorities of a similar size – 98.5%, which finance portfolio holder Cllr Simon Clifford describes as "remarkable", praising the council's team which bring in the money.