Derbyshire County Council plans 4.99% tax rise and service cuts

Barry Lewis said no council leader wanted to be in this position

A county council says it is facing budget pressures "like never before" as it proposes the maximum possible tax increase for residents.

Derbyshire County Council has planned a 4.99% council tax rise from April, increasing it to the maximum amount.

In a blog post, council leader Barry Lewis says despite the proposed increase, services will still be affected by budget cuts.

It will be voted on at a full council meeting on 14 February.

In November, the council denied it was in a "bankruptcy situation" despite facing a £33m budget black hole even after imposing strict spending curbs in September.

An immediate ban on all non-essential travel and a recruitment freeze were among the cost-cutting measures.

Mr Lewis said no decisions had yet been made on cuts to services

Mr Lewis, leader of the Conservative-run authority, has said "factors beyond our control have led to this hugely challenging financial position".

He said higher than expected inflation, rising fuel and energy costs and a continued increase in demand for services - especially adults' and children's social care - had all had an impact.

Mr Lewis said: "To ensure we can balance the books for the year ahead, we have had no choice but to put forward a number of budget savings proposals which, if agreed, will affect some services we provide.

"And, for the first time in many years, we are looking to increase council tax to the maximum amount allowed by government - a rise of 4.99%."

He added no decisions had been made on cuts to services and "there will be ample opportunity for people to have their say... through public engagement and consultation where this is appropriate".

"We have kept council tax rises as low as we can for as long as we can, as we know this puts an extra burden on already-stretched households," said Mr Lewis.

He added: "We are continuing to strongly lobby government for much-needed extra funding.

"We've had some success, with extra funding for social care announced recently, but while this is welcome it's simply not enough."