Residents in Bristol could face a five per cent council tax hike from April 2021, it has been announced.
The city council has launched a public consultation to find out how much householders are willing to pay, as the local authority continues to grapple with the cost of the pandemic.
Options range from no increase to three per cent to cover the cost of general council services, including education, children’s services, waste collection, street lighting, road maintenance, parks, libraries and homelessness, plus an additional two per cent towards paying for adult social care.
For most households, a three per cent rise would mean between an extra £35 and £41 a year.
Earlier this year, councillors voted for a 3.99 per cent increase from April 2020, taking the annual bill for an average Band D property to £1,758.28, plus smaller amounts to pay for the police and fire service which set their own precepts.
Bristol City Council says the coronavirus pandemic has seen many more people needing its support, such as help with council tax, business rates and grants, food packages and vouchers and emergency accommodation, while the crisis has reduced its income.
The authority says it aims to avoid cutting any essential services but council tax may need to go up to ensure these can continue.
Deputy mayor Cllr Craig Cheney said: “We know this is a difficult time for many people and are very conscious of the impact that increasing council tax has on Bristol residents.
“In the face of a global pandemic, we, like all councils around the country are facing unprecedented financial pressures which leave us with a difficult choice – do we cut essential services or ask people who can afford it to pay a little bit more?
“Before the pandemic we were one of the very few local authorities to offer the council tax reduction scheme, meaning people only pay what they can afford, and in some cases that means not paying council tax at all.
“We continue to offer this service for those who really need it.
“Covid-19 has touched everyone’s lives and this has led to a huge increase in people needing support from the council.
“For those that can afford to pay council tax, it is really important you continue to, and for those that can’t, we will help you.
“I urge people to give their views on this consultation so we can balance the impact of any increase in council tax alongside the need to run services which are essential to residents.”
You can give us your views on options by completing the questionnaire at bristol.gov.uk/budget2021-2022
The consultation closes on December 28.
Information can be provided in an alternative format including paper copy by emailing consultation@bristol.gov.uk or calling 0117 922 2848.
More information about the council tax reduction scheme is at bristol.gov.uk/benefits-financial-help/council-tax-reduction
