CALLS have been made for plans to equalise council tax levels in Cornwall to be phased over at least two years.

The suggestion was made by members of the One Cornwall Implementation Executive at a meeting on Friday when they discussed a proposed three-year budget plan for the new unitary council.

Council tax rates differ across Cornwall due to the levels set by district councils across the county.

However, with the single council for Cornwall, there is a need to bring all council tax bills to the same level.

While this means that taxpayers in Kerrier will see a lower increase in their council tax bills it means that those in Penwith will see a higher rise.

Penwith councillor Roger Harding said: "The equalisation process raises its own problems with this budget.

"Bearing in mind that (local government minister) John Healey said in November council tax increases should be substantially below 5%, we are looking at increases in some areas which are close to that.

"Is there any chance to have the equalisation period phased over two years?"

IE chair David Whalley said that it was an issue which was being looked at by officers in the finance department at County Hall.

The budget report approved by the IE last week suggested that there would be a 2% average rise for the first year of the new council.

It also suggested targets of 4% for the following two years.

Work will continue on the budget before it goes before the full county council in February for formal approval.

Ann Kerridge, chair of the finance and performance Group said: "The budget setting process for this year's budget is likely to be unique.

"Setting council budgets for the next financial year will be a challenge for every council in the country.

"Regardless of One Cornwall each of the seven councils would have faced a difficult budget round this year.

"We face rising costs, additional demands on our services at a time of an international financial crisis."