COUNCIL tax payers in Bromsgrove could be asked to pay an extra £62 on their bill next year.

Worcestershire County Council has proposed in its draft budget an increase of 4.94 per cent on its precept for 2018/2019 for Band D properties, which is equivalent to £57.

Bromsgrove District Council’s budget assumption features a £5 increase for Band D payers.

West Mercia Police Service and Hereford and Worcestershire Fire and Rescue service will also apply their own precepts to raise money for the next year.

Councillor Simon Geraghty, leader of Worcestershire County Council, said: “We have traditionally been a low council tax authority, among county councils without a fire service we are in the lowest 25 per cent, and we think we will remain below the average, because I think that other authorities will have to raise council tax as well.”

60 per cent of the county council's tax increase will be ring-fenced for adult social care.

An extra £10.5million is to be spent on the county's most vulnerable children, while an additional £7.2m is to be invested into tackling the growing financial demands of an ageing population.

Cllr Geraghty said County Hall had to make £30million in savings for next year, adding: “Residents tell us that improving our roads and pavements, cutting congestion, safeguarding children and protecting vulnerable adults are most important to them.

"By growing our income, by capitalising more of our existing expenditure and by making sure that departments live within their means we are able to invest into these areas."

Both council tax rises will go to public consultation over December and January, and will have to be approved by councillors on the respective authorities in February.

The new council tax bills will then drop through residents’ letterboxes in April.