Three Rivers District Council’s budget was passed this week, including an increase in council tax.

The council said the increase would “protect front-line services despite the financial pressure resulting from Government cuts”.

Councillor Matthew Bedford, responsible for resources, said: “We know that many residents find the council tax a financial burden, so we are pleased to be able to propose such a low increase.

“By making further savings the council has managed to keep its part of the council tax rise to a minimum, while increasing services in key areas, which we know are important to residents.

“Residents will see an average increase of less than 10 pence per week for the Three Rivers part of their council tax bill.”

The change means the average district council’s element of the council tax bill for a Band D property is £163.90. The rise, coupled with efficiency savings of more than half-a-million pounds in the coming year, will enable current service levels to continue and to expand in key areas. 

Councillor Bedford added: "The council faces serious ongoing pressures on its finances. T revenue support grant from central Government will reduce from £3m a couple of years ago to zero by 2019. At the same time, the cost of providing for homeless families, a legal obligation on the council, is forecast to increase dramatically.

"We have made millions of pounds of efficiency savings over recent years in order to protect council services. Now we are planning more savings and new income so we can absorb the squeeze on our finances and at the same time maintain and expand services that residents expect and rely on.”