COUNCIL chiefs say they are investing millions of pounds in communities as they look to increase council tax bills for the coming year.
The 4.99% hike – with 2% of that being ring-fenced for social care – is being proposed by Staffordshire County Council.
It comes as the authority said “a decade of good decision-making” meant it was able to fund libraries, country parks and support for families.
The county council says it is also planning to invest an extra £45million over three years in road repairs and more than £50million to build new schools and upgrade existing ones.
Cllr Ian Parry, cabinet member for finance and resources, said:
“Supporting our quality of life is just as important as investing in jobs and growth and years of strong financial management mean we are still able to strike the right balance and invest in both for Staffordshire residents.”
The proposed increase in the authority’s share of the council tax bill would see an average band D property paying an additional £1.48 per week.
It comes as the county council said around two-thirds of Staffordshire’s £734million budget for 2025-26 will be spent on supporting vulnerable children and adults.
Cllr Parry said national solutions needed to be found to help tackle the challenges of delivering such care:
“The cost of adult social care falls disproportionately on larger, rural counties such as Staffordshire and requires a governmental response rather than local taxpayers shouldering an ever-increasing burden.
“Everyone agrees that there needs to be a national solution to the rising cost of providing adult social care, but the delivery of that solution always seems to be just around the corner.”
