Cheshire East Council to consider 9.99% council tax rise

Cheshire East Council is considering raising council tax in the borough by up to 9.99% as part of its budget setting process, above the 4.99% normally allowed by government.

Cheshire East Council’s Finance Sub-Committee has made the recommendation, and no decision on increasing council tax has yet been taken. A rise of 5% or more would also require special approval from central government to go ahead.

The council tax increase will now be considered by the council’s Corporate Policy Committee, which meets on 12 February.  Councillors will also consider a request for additional Exceptional Financial Support (EFS), and a range of budget proposals for savings, income and growth, and feedback from public consultation and engagement through the annual budget setting process.     

The Corporate Policy Committee will consider budget proposals in detail with a view to recommending a budget for approval at the Full Council meeting on 25 February.

A Cheshire East Council spokesperson, said:

“We understand why people are concerned about council tax and know many households are under pressure financially. We deliver over 400 services to around 398,000 residents. For a typical band D household, a 4.99% increase is around £1.81 a week.   

“A 9.99% increase doubles this to around £3.60 a week — funding services that support vulnerable children, adults with disabilities and older residents. 

“The extra 5% asked for would raise around £15.5 million to help protect essential care and safeguarding services.”