Hertfordshire County Council will raise council tax by almost 3 per cent after a “majority” of people supported a consultation.

Councillors agreed a raft of spending plans as part of their annual budget decided on Tuesday (February 19) – including an increase of around 76p a week on band D households.

Ralph Sangster, cabinet member for resources and performance, said while the county council would prefer not to place the “extra burden” on taxpayers, 67 per cent of people approved of the increases.

Councillors agreed education was a leading priority across 2019/2020, earmarking £66million for schools and almost £250million over the next four years.

Nearly £30million was set aside for adult and children’s social care services, more than £11million of that will provide support for adults living with learning disabilities, and a further £4million for NHS organisations.

Roads were also on councillors’ minds with £8million set aside, making a total investment of £37million over five years.

Some £4million was earmarked for council contracted social care workers to ensure they receive “over and above” the National Living Wage.

And £2million was designated for overall service improvement, while £330,000 was agreed to tackle domestic abuse through the creation of a new dedicated team.

Cllr Sangster added: “Our priority will once again be on delivering and protecting key frontline services, but we will also be investing in other areas which matter most to our residents.

“We are confident that the spending plans we’ve agreed for the new financial year will enable us to meet the challenges of our growing population, and ever-increasing demand for vital support services for disabled and vulnerable children and adults and the elderly.

“Our recent budget consultation showed that the majority of residents who responded, 67 per cent, would rather see council tax increases than service reductions. While we would prefer not to place this extra burden on council tax payers, we have a responsibility to do the best for all of our residents, particularly those who most need our support.”

Council tax bills for the new financial year will be issued by Hertfordshire’s district councils from the beginning of March.

You can find out more here www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/counciltax