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Likely 3% increase for social care today.
A new study shows 147 out of 151 councils are set to take advantage of the new council tax social care precept powers.
Most, including Wiltshire Council, are also expected to increase the precept by a further 1.99% to meet the cost of other services.
Some 108 councils are considering or have approved introducing a 3% precept in 2017-18 and 39 councils are considering or have approved introducing a 1.99% precept.
Even if every council imposed the new maximum 3%, 'only' £543m would be raised, which is less than the estimated £600m cost of implementing the new minimum wage!!
The Truth.
All the councils which have voted, or will vote, for a Council Tax increase will see an increase which transfers national taxation to local taxation. In truth, even with the increase, all Local Authorities are going backwards financially where adult social care is concerned.
As your Division Councillor I will never agree that it is correct for national taxation to be raised via the Council Tax but what is the option today? Agree the extra 3%, and try to do what is best for the vulnerable of Wiltshire, or vote against the increase and go against one of my main tenants which is that there should be no reduction in care for the elderly and vulnerable?
Lord Porter, Chairman of the Local Government Association, said: "Extra council tax income will not bring in anywhere near enough money to alleviate the growing pressure on social care both now and in the future. Social care faces a funding gap of at least £2.6 billion by 2020. It cannot be left to council taxpayers alone to try and fix this crisis. Without genuinely new additional government funding for social care, vulnerable people face an ever uncertain future where they might no longer receive the dignified care and support they deserve. This... will also heap further pressure and wasted expense on the NHS.”