Council tax proposed to rise by 4.99%

A council has proposed the maximum increase to next year's tax bill, a 4.99% rise.

Westmorland and Furness Council said it had to respond to "growing pressures from demand and legislative changes" with a 2.99% general increase and a 2% increase for adult social care.

Councils in England, which provide adult social care services, can raise tax rates by up to 5% after the government confirmed it was sticking with the current cap.

If the proposed 4.99% increase is approved, the Liberal Democrat-led council's total budget income from council tax will be £184.53m.

The council report said: "It is important to state that council tax accounts for over half of the net income for the council and is therefore the main source of income for the council."

The proposed increase results in a Band D council tax fee of £1,918.97 in the 2025/26 financial year, which represents an annual increase of £91.21, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Previously approved plans from the council for a 100% council tax premium on second homes will come into force in April, which is expected to raise £10.6m in additional revenue for the authority.

The report concluded the council had a responsibly to identify permanent changes to the future budget while "also responding to the growing pressures from demand and legislative changes and focus the spend on areas that support our priorities and vision".

"We also need to make the best and most efficient use of our resources to deliver ongoing improvements to services for our residents and communities and demonstrate that the council can deliver value for money," it added.

Westmorland and Furness Council is set to launch a budget consultation on 17 December at Barrow Town Hall.