Herefordshire Council’s budget proposals will be considered by Cabinet when it meets on January 21st, and the cabinet will then make its recommendations for approval by full Council on Friday, February 5th.

The proposals include an increase in council tax of 3.9% in 2016/17. This would mean a rise of around £4 a month for those living in a band D property.

The increase will provide 1.9% (£1.6m) to protect council services, including safeguarding vulnerable children and 2% (£1.7m) to alleviate the significantly rising costs of adult social care for the county’s higher than average ageing population.

Over half (52%) of the council’s net budget is spent on children (excluding schools) and adult services.

Herefordshire Council has said that it has experienced substantial funding reductions from central government since 2010, but has risen to the challenge by saving £59m, whilst still delivering successful projects to boost the local economy including The Old Market retail development, the new livestock market, faster broadband and the Enterprise Zone.

The council is aware that funding reductions from central government will continue; all but being eliminated from its current level of £26m to less than £1m in 2020. This means an additional £28m will need to be saved by 2020; a total of £87m over ten years.

In 2016/17, the council’s funding from government will reduce by a third (£9m), so taking into account rising adult social care costs, savings of nearly £11m will need to be achieved.