THE Tories in Cheshire West and Chester have said they are “disappointed” that the Labour-led council is again looking to increase council tax.

Residents in the borough will likely be facing a hike of 4.9 per cent for the coming financial year – the same increase as last year.

This equates to an extra £1.39 a week for people living in a Band D property.

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s administration say the move is necessary as it continues to be given less from central Government, creating a funding gap of £21.4 million.

It also claims it is acting on the views of the public, who were consulted in 2015 and largely requested that the authority focus resources on support for vulnerable adults and children.

But Cllr Lynn Riley, leader of the Conservative opposition group on the council, said in a statement: “Tax rises and other fees and charges add extra pressure for many households, with council tax now being their largest monthly bill. This should be our starting point and making sure that every penny is made to count and is accountable.

“We are disappointed that the council isn’t living up to its side of this deal. Taxes are again forced up because the Labour-led council has failed to deliver the targets it set itself.

“Non-delivery and delays to major projects like computers and questionable decisions to take cash out of road improvement to bring in parking charges runs into the millions.

“We are shocked that the surplus collected on previous year’s council tax is once again being used for the council’s priorities not the public’s.”

She added: “Tax payers should be asking themselves if this feels like good value for money and whether the council seems to know what matters to the majority of people who live and work hard here, not just the fewer than one per cent who responded to the budget consultation.”

Early budget proposals for 2019-20 are included in a report for the authority’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee, which meets on Monday, February 4.

Members will be asked to make recommendations to cabinet, which meets on Wednesday, February 6. Final proposals will be considered at the council’s annual budget setting meeting on Thursday, February 21.