HOUSEHOLDS in Essex will face a 3.5 per cent rise in the county council portion of their council tax bill as the authority looks to draw in an additional £27 million.

The authority hopes to offset cost pressures on the adult social care budget by devoting 2 per cent of the planned increase to this area alone.

The increase means for an average Band D property household, the Essex County Council portion of council tax will rise by £49 next year – or 94p per week.

A Band D property in Essex can now expect to pay £1,450 per year for its county council services.

The council said with inflation rising above 10 per cent – its highest level for 40 years – council finances are under “huge pressure”.

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It added: “Inflation, rises in utility prices and interest rates coupled with increased demand have added £74m more to the cost of services this year.

“Balancing those factors with the need to limit impacts on household budgets in the current cost-of-living crisis mean a proposed council tax increase.”

Kevin Bentley, leader of Essex County Council, said: “Support for people who are vulnerable or struggling is at the heart of our plans.

“These proposals would allow us to continue the outstanding work of Everyone’s Essex, our plan to level up the county.

“We’ve worked hard on this agenda and the benefits are being seen and felt, but there is more to do.

“We want to renew our economy, provide equal opportunities for all and ignite ambition for the people and places we are privileged to represent. This budget is a crucial step on that journey.”

In her report to go before the council’s cabinet, Nicole Wood, executive director for corporate services, added: “It is critically important that we are able to sustainably raise the revenue in the base budget, to fund the major ongoing cost pressures on the adult social care budget.”