COUNCIL tax bills in Bournemouth and Poole will rise by almost four per cent if proposals revealed by the two councils go ahead.

The suggested 3.99 per cent rise for each authority includes the new two per cent Adult Social Care precept, which councils were given permission to impose by George Osborne in the autumn statement. That must be spent on adult social care services. 

The remainder of the increase is the highest the council can adopt without triggering a local referendum on the issue.

Parliamentary regulations mean that councils are no longer allowed to raise tax by more than two per cent without the approval of the electorate.

The proposed rise would see the bill for an average Band D property in Bournemouth rise £59 to £1,558.48. Band A bills will go up almost £40 to £1,038 and the highest band, Band H, will rise £119 to £3,116.95.

If agreed by the full councils - both meetings are on February 23 - the increase will be the first for both authorities in five years.

Leader of Bournemouth council, Cllr John Beesley, said: "Our explicit corporate mission of ‘Building a Better Bournemouth’ will continue to address the issues that are of greatest importance to our residents - making Bournemouth safer, protecting vulnerable adults and children, improving people’s health, increasing the availability of affordable housing, and reducing traffic congestion whilst maintaining key public services such as parks and open spaces, street cleaning and road repairs.

"We continue to be ambitious for all parts of the town and are determined to improve the local economy and the quality of life for all Bournemouth residents.

"To support the local economy and jobs, the Seafront Strategy and Town Centre Vision will see more improvements in 2016/17, including extending redevelopment along the seafront following the works at Pier Approach.

"Additionally, our housing strategy will continue to make more new homes available for council tenants, property that is affordable for local people to buy, and measures to improve standards in the private rental sector.

"We have also made it easier for people to find out about our services, apply and pay for them, or report issues online through the Council’s website, at times and in ways more convenient to local people with busy lives."

What are Dorset's other councils doing? 

Purbeck District Councillors will discuss plans to increase council tax by 1.99 per cent on February 23.

Christchurch Borough Council is planning a rise of f 1.95 per cent, which will be decided at their full council meeting on February 23.

East Dorset District Council is also planning a rise of 1.95 per cent to be discussed at full council on February 22.

None of these councils are eligible to add the two per cent social care precept. Dorset County Council, which is responsible for adult social care outside Bournemouth and Poole, would add the precept to its share of the bill.

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