COUNCIL tax is set to rise in South Gloucestershire following a meeting to approve the South Gloucestershire Council budget for 2017-18.

An increase of 4.99 per cent was approved by councillors for the South Gloucestershire element of the tax, which means that the average council tax for the area will rise by 4.6 per cent in total.

As such, the average charge for a Band D property will increase to £1,359.62, for the South Gloucestershire Council element of the total council tax.

Cllr Matthew Riddle said that the increase reflects the “ever-increasing demands” on social care services.

 He said: “We have taken the decision to increase our council tax rate by 1.99 per cent to help meet the increasing costs for care of our most vulnerable older residents.

“An additional three per cent is allocated directly to helping to fund older people’s care, where wage costs and the complexity of individual’s needs are increasing.”

The 2017-18 budget was debated and passed by council members following extensive public consultation.

The council considered survey results, which showed that 70 per cent of respondents were in favour of some level of council tax rise for 2017-2018. 

Almost half (47 per cent) agreed that the council should increase the adult social care precept from two per cent, as it was applied last year, to three per cent for 2017-18 and 2018-19. A third said they disagreed.

Council tax charges are made up of four different precepts from South Gloucestershire Council, Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner, Parish/Town Council and Avon Fire.

 The increase in council tax for the police and fire authorities remains at 1.9 percent - the same level as last year.

For the Parish/Town Council, the precept has increased by 6.94 percent this year, which is less than the 10.7 percent rise seen in 2016-17.

 The 4.99 per cent rise for South Gloucestershire Council is comprised of a 1.99 per cent general increase, plus a further three per cent to be “specifically ring fenced” for adult social care.