LAST week the local authority approved its Council Tax for 2026-27 - helping it to close the budget gap and continue investing in the county’s future.

Herefordshire Council’s main, county-level, share of the bill, goes up by 4.99 per cent from April.

Cllr Jonathan Lester, leader of Herefordshire Council, said: “We’ve been forced into this council tax rise through the Government cutting the authority’s budget by £17million, on top of the £7million Rural Delivery Grant it had already removed.

“With more demand for our services, and continued inflation, it all means we have to reduce our annual budget by £30 million.

“We’ve not gone for a bailout or put vital services at risk - and we’re still investing millions in improving roads, schools, growing the economy and more.

“No-one wants to increase council tax by 4.99 per cent, but we’ve been able to keep the rise well below neighbouring authorities’ increases.

“We’ve made year-on-year savings, and we’re continuing our relentless drive to be more efficient. Despite the unfair cuts we’ve had from Government, we will keep delivering the services thousands of people depend on.

“Councillors from all parties supported this decision, because otherwise there would be a devastating impact on vital services.”

The Ross-on-Wye Town Council element of the overall council tax demand is £16.63 per band D property

Meanwhile both local police and fire services have announced above-inflation rises for their precepts within coming council tax bills.

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for West Mercia is seeking an increase of 5.15 per cent, which will raise their share of a band D council tax bill by £15 to £306.50 for the year.

And Hereford and Worcester Fire Authority is requesting an increase of 4.89 per cent, on a band D bill, taking it to £107.22 for the year.

The Herefordshire Council budget includes a record £29m capital investment in road repairs, as well as £10m on homelessness prevention, and the restoration of Shire Hall.

However, the authority states that more savings will be needed in the future - with the projected funding gap forecast at £83m between 2026-27 and 2029-30.

Cllr Pete Stoddart, cabinet member for finance and corporate services, said: “This budget is about confronting today’s financial reality created by the Government’s so‑called ‘fair’ funding formula, while at the same time addressing residents’ priorities and investing in Herefordshire’s future.

“We are making responsible decisions that allow us to deliver important services, support vulnerable residents and strengthen the local economy. At the same time, we are prioritising the long-term investment our county desperately needs: better roads, resilient infrastructure, thriving market towns and the preservation of Herefordshire’s beauty and rich heritage.

“Most importantly, this budget is shaped by what people across Herefordshire told us matters most to them.

“People want better roads, they want essential services protected, and they want us to modernise and work more efficiently rather than cut frontline services. We have listened. Every major element of this budget reflects those priorities.”