Council tax could increase by almost four per cent next year in Bucks, as the county council try to save £31 million.

Bucks County Council were originally planning to increase council tax by 1.99 per cent, the maximum the Government normally allows.

However, in yesterday’s Spending Review and Autumn Statement, Chancellor George Osborne allowed councils to raise up to 2 per cent extra from council tax to spend solely on adult social care.

Now, Martin Tett, leader of the council, said they are planning to accept the proposal and are suggesting a 3.99 per cent rise for next year.

He said: “This really is the toughest budget yet. People will know that we’ve put in place a spending freeze until the end of this financial year, which will help us to manage the potential overspend that we have identified.

“But next year, given the growing demands on us, particularly in looking after vulnerable children and the elderly and the Living Wage requirements, we still need to save another £31 million to cope.

“I realise that the Government’s announcement means that everyone pays a bit more; however, in previous budget consultations, our residents have indicated that they would support a higher increase if it meant more local services being protected.

“This extra money will go some way to meeting what residents have told us.”

Residents are now being asked to help the county council make spending decisions on next year’s budget with a survey launched on Thursday.

Martin Phillips, Cabinet Member for Community Engagement, says it’s absolutely vital that people take part in the survey as the council face ‘challenging decision-making.

He said: “We will need to take some extremely difficult decisions on where we continue to fund services and where we will have to stop doing things.

“This process affects everyone in the county and I urge you to please let us have your views: tell us what's important to you, where we should reduce spending, where we should continue to invest, and what you think of our council tax proposals."

Visit www.buckscc.gov.uk/budget to take part until December 17.