Council tax hikes planned across England

Nearly all local authorities in England are set to raise council tax and service charges amid concerns for their financial stability.

Council tax is set to rise in 95% of authorities while 93% will hike service fees, according to the 2018 State of Local Government Finance research.

The planned increases come as 80% of councils fear for their balance sheets.

Council tax can rise by 3% this year, in line with inflation, before a referendum is triggered, although the largest authorities are to be allowed to increase it by up to 5.99%.

Local authorities also oversee charges for services such as parking, burials and planning and 93% of respondents to the survey indicated new or increased fees in order to make ends meet.

Central government funding has come under fire as a result, with councils said to be calling for a "fundamental redesign of the What does it mean for you? financial system”.

The research - carried out by the Local Government Information Unit (LGiU) think tank and The Municipal Journal - claims the biggest pressure on authorities' budgets is children's services (nearly 32% of councils), then adult social care (close to 28%) and housing and homelessness (19%).

In the 113 councils that responded to the survey, a third of all those in England, social care was found to be the greatest long-term pressure.

Councils are also uncertain about what monies they will receive after 2020 as decisions over business rates and the Fair Funding Review are yet to be decided, the report found.

Of those 113 respondents, just six said they would not raise council tax. Of those six, only East Hampshire District Council agreed to be identified.