Shropshire Council tax bills set to rise by nearly 4%

Shropshire Council's cabinet has approved a proposal that will see the local authority portion of the council tax bill increase by 3.99 per cent for 2016/17.

The authority is also planning for 3.99 per cent rises each year for the following four years – although they will be subject to council approval and the financial circumstances at the time.

The move, which still needs to be formally passed by full council, means the average Band D property will see its bills increase by £46.47 for next year.

It comes after seven consecutive years where the rate of council tax has been frozen.

Shropshire Council's new leader in waiting Councillor Malcolm Pate, who will be officially voted into Keith Barrow's former role on December 17, said the rise is essential to protect services. He also said the authority may have been better raising council tax "a small amount" over the past few years.

He said: "We have not had an increase for seven years, with hindsight – and it is very easy to say with hindsight – perhaps we should have been increasing the base over the past few years by a small amount.

"We have to be absolutely clear that while central government has policies to sort out the national economy and the deficit, that inevitably means there is less money for local government.

"To deliver the services that the people of Shropshire want and expect the inevitable consequence is that there will be an increase in council tax."

The rise is made up of two parts – a two per cent rise permitted by Government as a precept solely for adult social care funding, and 1.99 per cent proposed by Shropshire Council – the highest figure allowed without carrying out a referendum.

The final council tax bill for Shropshire residents will also incorporate a precept from their parish or town council as well as the local police authority on top of the Shropshire Council figure.

Council chief executive Clive Wright said that responses to the council's budget consultation, the Big Conversation, have so far indicated that people are prepared to pay more to maintain their services.