Council tax to rise despite Reform UK election promise

Now its councillors have been asked to apologise to residents

- Kerry Ashdown

STAFFORDSHIRE households will see their county council tax bill go up by 3.99% after the new Reform UK administration's first budget was passed.

The rise will mean residents in Band D properties face a £64.71 increase in their annual Staffordshire County Council tax bill, which will go up to £1,686.42.

Reform UK leaders at the authority have said the rise shows their commitment to keeping charges 'as low as possible' however, as it is below the 4.99% maximum rise authorities are allowed to impose without triggering a referendum.

Acting council leader Martin Murray said: "I am proud that we are delivering a balanced budget for the next year - a huge achievement given the financial challenges and positions of many local authorities. What is truly remarkable is that we are doing so while announcing that Staffordshire's tax rise will be lower than expected by this government - our increase is lower than many other councils and lower than any increase in the last three years at Staffordshire County Council.