Across England, hundreds of councils are preparing to raise council tax bills from April, while simultaneously scaling back key local services. Road maintenance, waste collection, libraries and bus subsidies are all expected to face cutbacks as authorities grapple with a widening funding gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The County Councils Network (CCN) has warned that county and large rural councils are projected to face a combined shortfall of \u00a311 billion by 2028\/2029. Meanwhile, up to 350 councils are set to impose the maximum council tax increase permitted without a referendum (currently capped at 4.99 percent) raising concerns among residents and campaigners over the growing financial burden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From April, many councils across England are expected to increase council tax by the legal maximum, while cutting back on a number of frontline services. Local authorities are currently permitted to raise council tax annually by up to 4.99 percent without seeking approval from residents<\/strong>. According to the County Councils Network<\/a>, most will likely take full advantage of this threshold in the upcoming financial year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the same time, councils are expected to trim spending on a range of services including bin collections, road repairs, leisure centres and library provision. Speaking on behalf of the CCN, finance spokesperson Steven Broadbent<\/strong> said the financial pressure is increasingly being passed on to residents. \u201cThe burden is being placed firmly on county and unitary councils and local taxpayers, meaning residents face yearly council tax rises for the foreseeable future<\/em>,\u201d Broadbent stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Campaigners in the field of personal finance have echoed this sentiment, warning that the combined effect of rising costs and declining services may leave many households feeling the strain. The CCN estimates that by 2028\/2029,<\/strong> county and large rural councils will be navigating an \u00a311 billion shortfall, making both tax hikes and service cuts difficult to avoid.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBin Collection Overhaul Aims to Standardise Recycling across England<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n