Maximum tax rise proposed by county council

Staffordshire County Council is proposing to increase taxes by the maximum amount allowed for the second year in a row

Council tax in Staffordshire could increase by the maximum permitted 4.99% under proposals from leaders at the Tory-led county authority.

Such a move would mean those in Band D properties pay £1,544.64 per year.

It amounts to an increase of £73.41 for the average tax payer in the county.

Labour said the planned increase would be difficult for people to bear due to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

The plan follows an equivalent percentage increase proposed for council tax payers in Stoke-on-Trent.

Both councils also increased their council tax rates by 4.99% last year.

County council cabinet member for finance and resources Ian Parry said the financial challenges facing local authorities were well-documented.

He said: "Thanks to long-term planning, imaginative change, and careful management of our resources, this council remains financially stable.

"It is that stability which allows us to meet our statutory responsibilities and also to look to the future by investing in our economy, infrastructure and communities."

Council leader Alan White added: "We are committed to Staffordshire as a place to create jobs and do business, as well as developing a sustainable future, with good schools, communities and open spaces where people can raise a family and enjoy a good quality of life.

"Meeting the demands of today with planning for tomorrow remains a difficult task, but we are determined to succeed on our residents’ behalf."

'Hard to bear'

Labour opposition group leader Charlotte Atkins said: "The county council has no option but to increase council tax, because government funding to the council has been slashed since 2010 when the Conservative government came into power.

"But that size of increase is very hard to bear during the cost-of-living crisis when people are paying more but getting far less."

She added: "It's no surprise that our potholes don't get fixed, our drains are overflowing and we find that services like social care are harder and harder to access."