Herefordshire Council has today confirmed that the council tax levy for Herefordshire residents is to rise by 3.9% in 2016/17. The increase will help protect council services, including safeguarding vulnerable children, and will include an additional 2% (£1.7m) to support the significantly rising costs of adult social care for Herefordshire’s ageing population, which will be reviewed annually.

The decision was made at full council and will mean a rise of approximately £4 a month for those living in a band D property. The final council tax figure will be confirmed in March, to include precepts from the police, fire authority and town or parish councils.

Funding from central government has been reduced by a third for 2016/17 (a loss of £9m from the council’s budget), a trend which is set to continue, however Herefordshire Council has risen to the challenge by saving £59m since 2010, whilst still delivering successful projects to boost the local economy including The Old Market retail development, the new livestock market, faster broadband and the Hereford Enterprise Zone.

Councillor Patricia Morgan, deputy leader of Herefordshire Council, said: “Herefordshire Council is leading the way and making difficult decisions to protect the vulnerable in our community. As with other councils across England, the responsibility for funding local council services has now been firmly moved from central government to local residents and businesses.”

Ross Town Councillor Chris Bartrum said how disappointed he was that Herefordshire Council had not changed their stance over the support payments which Ross Town Council agreed should have been paid to the Town Council.