Council tax increases are on the way across Bracknell Forest as plans to hike taxes have cleared a crucial hurdle.

Council tax is set to be increased by 4.99 per cent from last year’s figure, which is the maximum increase allowed without going over the threshold to hold a referendum.

The hike means that council tax will increase to over £1,000 for the first time for those in Band A properties, the lowest band, and increase to over £3,000 for those in Band H, the highest band.

The increase has been agreed in principle by Bracknell Forest Council’s executive committee, which in charge of forming policy in the area.

The proposal was introduced by councillor Peter Heydon (Conservative, Old Bracknell) the executive member for transformation and finance, when executive members discussed the council’s revenue budget proposals for the 2023/24 financial year.

You can see how much your council tax will go up by in the table below:

Actual amounts are set to be higher as well, as the council is just one of the organisations, called ‘precepting bodies’ which can raise council tax.

The others are Thames Valley Police, the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, and parish and town councils.

Taxpayers can apply for a council tax discount through Bracknell Forest’s council tax support scheme, which is accessed through ‘cost of living support’ on the council’s website.

The council has provided a locally funded discount of £75 for eligible taxpayers.

Meanwhile, the government has provided funding for working age and pensioner householders receiving council tax support by £25.

it is understood the £75 reduction will cost the council coffers £270,000, while the £25 reduction will cost £129,000.

However, it is understood that the government has given the council that £129,000 as relief to those eligible for council tax support.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, cllr Heydon said: “It’s never a good time to put up council tax.

“The pressure is enormous but this increase is less than inflation.

“We’re continuing our pledge to have one of the lowest council tax rates in the country, which we are maintaining.

“And the last point I’d make is that we’re not actually withdrawing services.”

Cllr Heydon added that the maintenance of services is being provided through a mix of raising money and using reserves.

He said: “We have been prudent and careful about how we’ve gone about our financing.”

Bracknell Forest Council’s revenue budget proposals were approved unanimously by its executive committee on Tuesday, February 7.

Because of the scale of the proposals, including the council tax hike, the revenue budget for 2023/24 must be approved at a full council meeting.