SOMERSET residents are awaiting the outcome of a county council meeting next week, which will determine council tax levels for the year ahead.

The authority's executive board is facing tough choices on whether to cut services -- or raise council tax.

The minimum rise looks like being 3.75 per cent, to cover the cost of inflation and of funding which has to be passported to schools.

But despite some extra money from Government, spending cuts will have to be made if the coun-cil is to avoid the rise of up to 14 per cent which is needed to maintain current services.