LEADER of the council Paul Bettison has confirmed that the budget for 2018 does not include a tax increase of 5.99 per cent. 

This week, Sajid Javid confirmed that local authorities will be given the power to increase council tax by up to 5.99 per cent. 

Mr Javid, communities secretary, has also announced that Berkshire is one of ten councils to be piloting a scheme allowing them to keep all of the business rates raised locally, while police and crime commissioners will also be able to raise council tax.

Cllr Bettison however confirmed that the budget for 2018 has already been drawn up, and does not include the additional increase, suggesting it didn't need to be used. 

He said: "The ability to increase the taxes has been cautiously welcomed by the council. 

"However, just because we can increase council tax by more than a very small amount, doesn't mean we want to do it."

The police will receive a cash injection worth hundreds of millions of pounds, funded in part by the tax increase. 

Amber Rudd, home secretary, announced this week that police forces up and down the country will benefit from £450m extra in funding.

This £450m will be part-funded by an increase in council tax bills, specifically £270m of it, in the form of a £12 increase per household. 

The money for policing will include £50m for counter-terrorism forces, as well as £130m for armed officers and digital technology.

Sajid Javid, communities secretary, has also announced that Berkshire is one of ten councils to be piloting a scheme allowing them to keep all of the business rates raised locally, while police and crime commissioners will also be able to raise council tax.