Hertfordshire residents face a potential council tax hike to help keep frontline services afloat.

The county council wants to raise the levy by 4.99%, with 2% of revenue raised specifically allocated for social care.

It means a typical Band D household could end up paying £1,605.63, an increase of £1.47 per week, from April 2023.

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Councillor Asif Khan, who is chair of the Watford Labour Party, said: “There is a cost-of-living crisis now, everything has gone up - fuel, food, energy.

“The last thing people want as the cost-of-living is happening are council tax bills going up.”

But he laid the blame for the rise on central government and vowed to oppose any cuts HCC might suggest.

He said: “Central government needs to ensure that public services like adult social care and special education get funding.

“These services are vital for the most vulnerable and the county council is now in a position where it has to raise public council tax to keep the bare minimum.”

Watford Observer: Hertfordshire County Council offices in Hertford. Hertfordshire County Council offices in Hertford. (Image: Jack Hill/Google)

He warned: “This doesn’t preclude any cuts that may occur. We as a Labour group of the county council will oppose any cuts that come through.”

Cllr Stephen Giles Medhurst, leader of the Liberal Democrats on HCC, said the council is between “a rock and a hard place,” either raise taxes or cut services further.

“Neither are acceptable,” he said.

He added: “The County Conservatives should be arguing for extra support from central government and a fair deal on services.”

Herts County Council said that despite attempts to make savings, which have come in at £27.4m, it has not been enough to cover essential frontline services.

Tory councillor Richard Roberts, leader of HCC, said increasing people’s taxes has been a difficult decision because of the cost-of-living crisis.

He added: "The alternative would be to make significant cuts to council services at a time when many people really need us to be there for them.

"The budget we're proposing will protect vital services and ensure that we continue to provide the right support, services and advice to our residents as they seek to balance their own budgets."

The Liberal Democrats have been approached for a response.

The proposed budget plan will be considered by the council’s cabinet on Monday, January 16.