COLCHESTER Council is set to increase its share of council tax by just under £5 a year.

The authority’s Cabinet is set to recommend increasing the authority’s share of council tax to £200.52 for an average Band D property in 2021/22.

That is an increase of £4.95 on the rate paid this year.

The rise will raise about £500,000 for the council’s coffers, which have been severely hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

Further similar increases are also being predicted in 2022/23 and 2023/24.

A report set to go before the cabinet on Wednesday says: “We have an exceptionally challenging health and economic situation nationally and locally, damaging all forms of income to the council and increasing our costs.

“The council has responded robustly, to reduce the impacts whilst retaining a prudently progressive approach to the 2021/22 budget, that supports investment in the local economy, local businesses and those they employ, and recovery.

“Despite the highly challenging context, the council’s budget will allow it to maintain essential as well as highly regarded discretionary services to residents and to meet the environmental, health, housing and other needs of the borough, as set out within the council’s strategic plan.”

“Working in partnership with the Business Improvement District (BID) and other groups the Council will also continue to ensure everything possible is done to promote economic and town centre recovery.

“It will continue to invest in the future of Colchester as a place in which to live, work, visit and invest, with projects such as the Northern Gateway.

“A vigorous programme of housing investment will continue. Capital investment will deliver improved services and retain or increase employment.”

The cabinet will discuss the Budget 2021/22 and Medium-Term Financial Forecast at a meeting on Wednesday.

It is set to recommend the increase of £4.95 per year to full council.

The budget, including the council tax rise, will have to be approved by full council at a meeting later this year.

The increase would come into force in April at the start of the new financial year.

The short answer is yes, although probably less than last year.

Essex County Council, which gets the lion’s share of the cash, has already said the average home owner will pay £19.80 more in council tax next year.

Essex Fire and Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst has also asked residents whether they’d be willing to pay more tax to boost the police and fire service in the county.

Details on how much the precept may increase for the Essex Police and Fire and Colchester Council portions of the bill are yet to be confirmed.