Council tax rise stays at two per cent

The borough will see an increase to council rates for the first time since 2013 as part of budget proposals expected to receive cabinet approval this week.

However, council leaders have resisted temptation to impose further hikes as they strive to make savings while keeping their end of The Deal initiative.

Residents will therefore pay the two per cent extra to help plug adult social care budgets, dubbed “Osborne Tax” by council leader Lord Smith, but will maintain some of the cheapest rates in the region, the town hall has said.

Lord Smith said: “Despite the difficult economic times we’re facing and the difficult decisions we’ve had to make we understand the financial pressures our residents are facing so we felt freezing council tax (apart from the adult social care element) was important.

“All GM councils have been forced to raise council tax by two per cent to pay for the additional pressures of the elderly and vulnerable which is not being funded by the

government.”