COUNCIL tax bills across the county are likely to rise by four per cent next year after council chiefs nodded through a £327 million budget.
The spending proposals, now set to go out to public consultation, were backed by the Conservative cabinet at Worcestershire County Council on Thursday (December 17).
If voted through next February, residents living in an average band D property can expect the bills to go up by £42 a year, while those living in larger houses will pay £85 more.
The four per cent is a result of the Conservative leadership taking up the Government’s offer of raising council tax by two per cent to help pay for the rising costs of adult social care, and a further 1.94 per cent increase to raise extra cash for children’s services.
“This is quite a controversial rise for us,” Coun Hardman said, but claimed taxpayers’ bills in Worcestershire are still in the bottom quarter of all counties, and £160 less than residents pay in Nottinghamshire.
“This will not be the new norm. Don’t expect a four per cent council tax rise every year,” he added.
“If you look at the demographics for the period from 2014 to 2025, we’re facing an increase of 70 per cent in people aged over 90, and a 51 per cent increase in the over-75s.
“There is considerable pressure for us going forward and I very much welcome being able to raise the social care precept by up to two per cent, we will absolutely take that up.”
Due to cuts in the support grant the county council receives from the Government, council chiefs have had to find further savings of £25million next year and still there is a £2million black hole in their budget even with planned tax hikes and budget cuts.
Deputy Leader of Worcestershire County Council, Coun Simon Geraghty, said: “We have no choice but to put up council tax, it’s necessary to maintain strong public services.”
However, the Leader of the Labour group at County Hall, Coun Peter McDonald, launched a scathing attack on the Conservative’s plans by saying he doesn’t know how residents will find the cash for another council tax rise.
“This budget is trying to hide the fact that there is £25million worth of further cuts.
“I don’t know how council taxpayers are expected to find the money for another four per cent rise,” he added.
