Following a period of public consultation held in the December of last year, and consideration by the Scrutiny Management Board, and Cabinet agreement, the 2023/24 budget proposals were a approved by Council on 10th February.
The budget includes a council tax increase of 4.99%, made up of:
A 2% adult social care precept which is ring-fenced to support the delivery of social care services
A 2.99% increase in core council tax which will fund all other areas of council service
This will increase the band D equivalent charge to £1,786.61 representing an increase of £7.08 a month.
Councillor Liz Harvey, Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services, said:
“It continues to be a challenging climate locally and nationally, and the pressure on Local Authorities across the country is as intense as ever. Council Tax makes up around a third of the Council’s budget, so this increase is needed to support the continued delivery of vital services across the county.
“Our priority is to get the best possible value for every pound spent, but we acknowledge that with substantial increase in the cost living it is a difficult time for many local households. This is why we have ensured that the discount on the council tax reduction (CTR) scheme for any struggling family which qualifies will remain at 100% for the coming year – irrespective of the price banding of their home.
“Additionally, some residents will continue to pay no Council Tax at all, such as young adults who have left care and also all of the council’s Foster Carer families, and we have allocated a further £1.7million to provide other forms of support to hard up households.”
The final setting of Council Tax, which will include the precepts for all the county’s parishes plus Police and Crime Commissioner and Hereford & Worcester Fire Authority charges, will take place at the Full Council meeting on Friday 3 March 2023.
Residents on a low income may be eligible for help to pay their bill through the Council Tax Reduction scheme and household hardship schemes.
More information and advice on reduction schemes and allowances can be found on Herefordshire Council’s website at www.herefordshire.gov.uk/counciltax
