Council tax set to rise

RESIDENTS of Caversham, Emmer Green and other parts of Reading borough are facing a 4.99 per cent increase in council tax from April 1.

The borough council is expected to approve the rise, blaming “unprecedented” cuts in Government funding when the demand for council services, particularly social care, is increasing. The council says that 70p of every £1 it spends goes on adult and children’s social care.

A rise of 4.99 per cent is the maximum allowed by the Government without a council having to hold a referendum.

A meeting of the council’s policy committee on Monday is expected to recommend the rise before it is debated and decided on at a full council meeting on February 21.