Telford council tax rise of 3.2 per cent is approved
Council tax payers in Telford & Wrekin will see their bills rise by 3.2 per cent after councillors voted to approve the increase.
At a meeting of the full council held at Oakengates Theatre last night, the rise was backed by a majority of councillors.
The increase is made up of a general council tax increase of 1.2 per cent, and the two per cent permitted by government to be spent solely on the costs of providing adult social care.
Councils are permitted by law to raise council tax by 4.99 per cent – including the two per cent for adult social care–without the need for a referendum.
The council has said that because general income has not increased by the same level, they took the decision to restrict the rise.
A report from the authority said: "It was announced that for 2019/20 councils would be allowed to increase council tax by up to three per cent before a referendum was held plus any remaining headroom available in the adult social care precept equal to two per cent for this council.
"For Telford & Wrekin, this would give a maximum increase of 4.99 per cent next year. However, we know that local residents have not seen their incomes increase by anything like this and that council tax is already a significant bill for our residents.
"The council is therefore proposing to continue with its strategy of increasing council tax next year by 3.2 per cent."
