Proposal to increase council tax by almost 5%

Surrey band D property householders could pay up to £1,846.35 a year if budgets are approved

Surrey County Council is proposing to raise council tax by 4.99%, this means residents may need to pay an extra £1.69 a week for a band D household.

This motion was agreed by the cabinet on Tuesday and will be voted on at the county council's budget meeting on 4 February.

The increase will come into force from April, should the recommendation be approved.

Tim Oliver, Surrey County Council's leader, says increasing council tax is important to "balance the budget" and "ensure they can deliver improved and increased services".

He added: "I absolutely recognise the pressure that any increase in council tax will put on households."

Currently, band D property householders pay £1,758.60 a year in council tax, but following the maximum permitted increase in tax, residents could pay up to £1,846.35 a year.

People living in band H properties would have to pay £3,692.70 a year.

Surrey County Council says there is significant pressure on this year's budget due to the rising demand for services, such as adult social care and children's home-to-school transport, inflation and added national insurance contributions.

Council documents state for the local authority to balance the books, it has to increase council tax by the maximum 2.99%, and increase the adult social care precept by 2%.

Draft proposals show the adult social care budget increasing by £18.7m and the children, families and lifelong learning budget rising up by £19.2m.

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