Council tax to rise despite Reform UK cuts pledge

Staffordshire households could see their council tax bill go up by 3.99% under the Reform UK-led county council's budget proposal for 2026/27.

The increase would mean those who lived in Band D properties would pay an extra £64.71 more per year to the county council, an annual rate of £1,686.42.

The budget proposals include an extra £5.5m investment in children's and families services. The authority also looks to make £21m in savings by 2027.

The Conservative opposition described the increase as a "betrayal" to voters, as the administration had campaigned, prior to their election victory in May, on pledges to cut taxes and wasteful spending.

Chris Large, the cabinet member for finance, said reducing the council tax bill lower than it was previously would be "extremely difficult" but added the authority had worked to minimise the rise for taxpayers.

"We're putting £15m more into highways and we've reduced £15m off the debt," he said.

"So really, it's quite a good balanced budget and there's some positive steps there."

With a budget of £840m, about two thirds of the county council's spending goes on care for children, older people and vulnerable adults.

The authority said the additional £5.5m spend in children's services would see an extra 119 social workers, reduce caseloads and focus on early intervention.

The councillor said he was also focused on finding £21m in "efficiencies".

These savings include plans to review longstanding contracts and reduce placement costs, as well as a recruitment freeze on non-essential posts.

"We have a legal duty to balance the books on our spending and I'm proud that because of good financial management we have managed to keep the council tax as low as possible and still invest in Staffordshire," he said.

Staffordshire residents also pay a share of council tax to one of the eight district or borough councils in the county, some parish councils, and the police and the fire service, meaning the overall tax bill increase is likely to be more.

Councillor Philip White, Conservative leader of the opposition said: "The many people who voted Reform in May expecting to see their council tax cut will feel betrayed by this near 4% rise."

"Reform said they would find huge savings by eliminating the wasteful spending they claimed existed at Staffordshire County Council, but they have found no waste and this budget is largely a roll-over of the previous plans set by the Conservatives."

The budget will be reviewed by the county council cabinet on 28 January before being voted on by full council next month.

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