Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council's budget proposals have been approved, including a rise in council tax and a major investment in council housing.

The budget for 2024 to 2025 was passed by the cabinet at a meeting on Tuesday, January 9, and will "allow the council to deliver services and projects in line with its business plan, priorities and vision".

A £14m investment in new council housing is included, as well as 2.69 per cent rise in council tax and a 7.7 per cent increase in housing rents.

All fees and charges are set to go up by 10 per cent, with the council citing a "high level of inflationary pressure", although the council tax increase is "significantly below the rate of inflation".

The budget proposals will be considered by Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) on January 16, 2024.

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Recommendations made by OSC and any changes will be presented to a Special Cabinet on January 23, 2024, in order to recommend the budget proposals to the full council at its meeting on February 5, 2024.

"The council’s ability to deliver a balanced budget becomes more challenging each year, as government funding has reduced, inflation has increased, and we have continued uncertainty over our funding in the medium term," said Councillor Duncan Jones, executive member for resources.

"We have had to make some difficult decisions to deliver this balanced budget, but I am pleased we have been able to do this without any significant adverse changes in services for our residents.

"The cost of living continues to impact all of us all and we understand the impact of increasing any fees and charges on our communities.

"We have tried to minimise the increases as much as possible and in line with the views of our community, we also continue to lobby the government for more funding."