Council tax is set to rise by 2.99 per cent in Hertsmere in 2023/24, after the council agreed to its budget on Wednesday last week. 

The increase means band D residents, for example, will pay an average of £198.04 in council tax - an 11p increase per week per average household for the coming year.

Portfolio holder for finance, Cllr Abhishek Sachdev, explained: "As part of the revenue budget agreement, we have agreed an increase of 2.99 per cent for our share of council tax for this forthcoming financial year. 

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 “This increase is well below the current rate of inflation (currently at 10.1 per cent) but will be essential to enable us to continue to deliver our range of services for Hertsmere’s residents.” 

As part of the agreed revenue budget, a pay settlement for the council’s workforce of a five per cent increase or £2,000 (whichever is the greater) was also approved at the meeting.  

                                                                                                         

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Cllr Sachdev said: “The pay settlement has been a crucial consideration given the current cost of living pressures. 

"We’ve had to focus on what is affordable whilst also ensuring our hard-working staff receive a settlement that supports them through the current financial challenges and enables us to remain competitive in the recruitment market.”