Kingston’s council tax is set to rise by almost five per cent - the maximum hike allowed and more than three times the rate of inflation.
The hike was announced by Conservative-run Kingston Council today, with the authority blaming increased cuts to funding by the Government and the growing cost of providing adult social care.
The 4.99 per cent rise – just 0.01 per cent short of needing a public referendum to be passed - includes a three per cent ‘social care precept’, aimed at easing pressure on the borough’s adult social care services.
From last week: Surrey County Council leader confirms move to seek largest council tax hike in the country of 15 per cent
From December 2016: Kingston Council leader dismisses Government's council tax rise as 'not solving the problem' in adult social care crisis
Kingston Council leader Kevin Davis said: "At this time increasing council tax for residents is not an easy decision but many will have already seen the deepening crisis in Government around health and social care.
“We can no longer respond to demand and budget pressures in the face of the rising population of vulnerable and older adults.
“Forever increasing taxes is not the sustainable option, so we now need to find a new way to deliver future services, working more collaboratively with our residents and partners.”
Surrey County Council leader David Hodge
The council tax rise is just 0.01 per cent short of the council having to launch a referendum on the proposals, similarly to neighbouring Surrey County Council.
It announced a 15 per cent rise last week, blaming “severe” central government cuts that had put “huge financial pressure” on the authority.
Last month, Prime Minister Teresa May sanctioned inflation-busting increases of an additional three per cent in a bid to tackle the country’s social care crisis.
The move was attacked by critics for being “too little too late” given the scale of the problems faced by local authorities.
Cllr David Glasspool, cabinet member for the treasury, said: “The Government has woken up to the huge pressures we are seeing for older people and vulnerable adults.
“While we are very reluctant to increase council tax, we feel residents will accept the special circumstances that exist when it comes to supporting the most vulnerable in Kingston.”
Protesters at Kingston's Guildhall against the rising costs of adult social care
Despite the rise, Kingston Council says it will still have to find £13.4m in savings over the next year.
Council tax in Kingston was raised by 1.99 per cent last year, while last month councillors voted to increase care contributions to 100 per cent of residents' ‘available income’ citing overwhelming budget pressures.
Leader of the Lib Dems Liz Green said: “It’s hypocritical. This is again what they did last year and the year before. It’s a sticky plaster over a gaping wound.”
“What they need to be doing is lobbying central government over it. Just moaning about a bad deal from central government is just not good enough.”
A final decision on the council tax rise will be made at a council meeting on Tuesday, February 28.
If passed, the hike will come into effect at the start of the financial year in April.
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