Yorkshire councils consider tax rise to pay for social care

Councils are facing growing costs to pay for care

COUNCILS across Yorkshire have confirmed they are considering using new powers to raise council tax bills as they struggle to meet the growing cost of elderly care.

Local authorities had to tell the Government by the end of last week whether they are considering using the new freedom to raise bills by two per cent to raise funds which are ring-fenced to pay for care costs.

Rotherham, Barnsley, Wakefield, East Riding, Leeds, Bradford, Kirklees and North Yorkshire have confirmed they are contemplating the move but stressed councillors will have the final say as part of their budget process in the coming weeks.

North Yorkshire County Council leader Carl Les said: “I would have preferred an increase in grant, obviously, but the ability to raise a special levy of two per cent is welcome, and I think we are very likely to do just that.

“That will give North Yorkshire County Council an extra £5 million but that is less than half the increased costs we are forecasting, so we still have a major challenge to face, which we will do.”

The Government has been criticised for only announcing the new freedom at the end of November and demanding an answer in the middle of the council budget-setting process.

Bradford Council leader David Green said: “The Government has set this timetable ignoring the need, also a Government requirement, for local councils to consult on their draft budget, and as some councils have not even produced theirs yet, the timetable for them to give absolute conformation is unrealistic if consultation is to be meaningful.”