Council tax increases in Bracknell Forest are likely to be going ahead this year as the council’s budget proposals have cleared a hurdle.

Council tax is to rise by 4.49 per cent for the 2021-22 financial year to pay for the council’s services.

The increase was proposed as part of the council’s revenue budget proposals, which are centred around the day-to-day expenses of the council.

The hike, by 4.49 per cent, is the maximum amount the council can increase council tax by without going to a referendum.

The council opted to not increase council tax by the amount allowed last year, but that permitted increase has been brought forward this year.

READ MORE: Huge spending of over £16 million by Bracknell Forest Council for major projects

The actual amount will be higher as well, because three bodies can levy council tax – these are Bracknell Forest Council, parish and town councils, and ‘other precepting’ bodies, which are Thames Valley Police and the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Therefore, the total amount of council tax people pay varies from area to area, because parish and town councils levy different amounts of tax.

You can see how much Bracknell Forest Council aims to collect in council tax in the table below:

To provide relief for less well off residents, Bracknell Forest Council has a tax reduction scheme, which offers people who are eligible a £100 council tax bill reduction – which is estimated to cost the council coffers £320,000.

That is on top of the £150 council tax rebate that the Government has announced for Band A-D households to assist with their energy bills.

Council officers were able to identify £2.3m of savings and will use more than £1m of reserve cash to help balance the budget.

Councillor Peter Heydon Executive Member for Transformation and Finance said: “Every year the council faces financial pressures and challenges. Inevitably, the ongoing pandemic, together with wider economic challenges, has impacted this further.

“However, our proposals do include increasing council tax in line with government assumptions.

“We understand an increase in council tax is never welcomed, and we don’t take the decision lightly, however, it is often unavoidable due to the financial pressures we, like other authorities in the UK, face each year.

“We have always had in place a wide range of measures to help financially vulnerable households.

“This year, we are supporting those who are on the lowest incomes specifically, by providing a £100 reduction on their council tax bill.

“Bracknell Forest still has one of the lowest council tax charges amongst all unitary authorities in England and we have promised to maintain this position.

“This budget does this and we will continue to manage our finances well and work within our means without overspending on budgets.

“We will take this considered approach through forward planning and sound financial management, balancing the medium-term sustainability of the council’s finances, while helping the borough recover from the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The proposal to increase council taxes was given the go ahead at the council’s executive committee meeting yesterday (Tuesday, February 8).

The increase and the revenue budget as a whole has to be approved at a full council meeting on Wednesday, February 23.