TAX payers in Ascot face forking out an extra £45 a year to the Royal Borough.

This evening (Tuesday) members of the adult services and health overview and scrutiny panel will discuss recommendations on overall spending, capital investment and council tax levels ahead of a series of scrutiny meetings, the Royal Borough’s cabinet on November 23 and the final vote in February 2018.

If the proposals are approved, council tax will increase by 1.95 per cent and the social care levy by three per cent, adding an additional £45.76 to the average tax bill.

In return, more than £54m will be spent on infrastructure across the borough in 2018/19, such as £15.8m on the Baywick Leisure Centre and £1.3m on CCTV upgrades.

Councillor MJ Saunders, cabinet member for finance, said: “The financial climate in local government remains tough and the demands of local residents, young and old, on the council’s services have increased.

"But whereas many councils are cutting services, the Royal Borough will be able to protect and enhance its offer to local people.

“This is thanks to sound financial management and a commitment to delivering differently - which the recent Local Government Association’s peer review recognised as a strength of the council.

“We have taken responsible decisions on costs and savings to ensure prudent management of public money and to balance the needs of our residents, council tax payers and staff.”

Elsewhere in the budget funding to meet employee pension obligations has been outlined, as has a 2.5 per cent wage increase to cover award, reward and promotion.

Cllr Simon Dudley, leader of the council, said: “This will be a budget that delivers now for local people and builds a borough for future generations.

“It will support the council’s work to create a borough for everyone, where local people can enjoy living, working and nurturing their futures and their family.

“The council and the borough are in a strong place and have a very positive future.

“Our innovative approach to development, as recognised by the Local Government Association’s peer review, means that by 2026 we will have an extra £346 million to reinvest in good services for local people, and will mean the council becomes debt free.”