Households in Swindon look set to pay an extra £70 a year in council tax for local authority services and policing from April.
This means a middle Band D household is likely to pay an extra £5.91 a month more for borough services such as street cleaning and bin collections.
Council tax payers also pay for Wiltshire Police and services like schools, roads and adult social care provided by Swindon Borough Council.
Councillor Russell Holland, Deputy Leader of Swindon Borough Council and the Cabinet Member responsible for Finance, said: “The Council, like local authorities across the country, has had to grapple with unprecedented changes in the way in which local government is financed. This has been due to both reductions in central government grant and increasing demand for adult social care and vulnerable children.
“As in previous years, demand for the services we provide to vulnerable children and those adults with social care needs is increasing and makes up around 80% of our budget. In order to meet those cost pressures the Council’s Cabinet will next week be asked to recommend a council tax increase of 4.99%, which includes the adult social care precept of 3%.
“This means council tax bills for an average home will increase by an additional £5.91 per month. While I don’t want to put up council tax, I do have to make a decision and it is my belief and opinion that the only way to ensure these vital statutory (and other services) can continue to be provided is by an increase in council tax.
“I know this will not be welcome news but I can only assure everyone that this additional funding, if approved by all councillors, will be spent almost exclusively in order to meet the ongoing needs of vulnerable adults and children who very much require support.”
