Residents face big council tax rise

RESIDENTS are set to pay nearly five per cent more council tax in 2021/22 than they did this year.

Cheshire East Council has released its final draft of the authority’s Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), which lays out the borough’s spending and tax plans from 2021-25.

It shows that council chiefs are planning to raise council tax by 4.99 per cent - the maximum allowed by the government, including a three per cent precept for adult social care - meaning a Band D property would pay £1,579.03 over 12 months.

Councillor Amanda

Stott, council cabinet member for finance, said: “Councils face very difficult choices and must strike a balance between protecting vital local services and keeping council tax rises to a minimum.

“We are looking to reduce the impact of this rise on lower income households through changes to our council tax support scheme. Beyond 2021/22 we are proposing smaller increases in council tax of 1.99 per cent. This is part of a four-year balanced strategy, reflecting preferences voiced through consultation responses, of increasing council tax, implementing service efficiencies and increasing income from fees and charges.”

The Labour-Independent council says that spending in ‘people-based services’ will increase ‘by more than £12 million over the next four years’. A more detailed look at the MTFS shows that the council is making widespread cuts.

The proposals will first have to be approved by a cabinet meeting on February 2, before going to a full council meeting on February 17 for the final sign-off.