CUMBRIAN householders are likely to face a council tax hike of almost four per cent as the county council battles to balance its books in the next financial year.

Cumbria County Council’s cabinet has recommended a 1.99 per cent general increase in its share of the annual council tax bill.

It is also proposing a further two per cent rise, with permission from the government, to go specifically towards adult social care services.

The budget, which will now go to full council for approval on February 18, aims to save the authority £76m over the next three years.

Under the move, the average Band D property owner would see their bill increase from £1,184 a year to £1,231.

Cllr Patricia Bell, Deputy Leader of Cumbria County Council and Cabinet member responsible for finance said the authority had been ‘forced into’ raising the adult social care precept’ after the government cut its revenue support grant.

“Raising money locally for adult social care is probably the first of a succession of responsibilities we will see pass from central to local government in this Parliament,” she said.

“Although personally I think this is not the baton of responsibility, but rather that of debt.”

Cllr Bell pointed out that as the budget was being finalised, Cumbria was hit with ‘widespread and repeated’ flooding, leaving the county with an estimated repair bill of £465m, with infrastructure damage accounting for £257m.

“Today’s recommendation to full Council from Cabinet goes forward without knowing how much financial support the Government will be giving us and as anyone setting their household budget knows, in order to live within your means, you need to have confidence in the income you are expecting to receive.”

Cabinet members also approved recommending plans to cut adult social care services by £5m.

The proposals would see an overhaul in care for the elderly and disabled, including more care in specially adapted housing rather than residential care homes.

The council wants to increase the supply of ‘extra care’ housing and other supported housing, increase the use of ‘support at home’ services for older people and reduce the overall number of placements of older people in residential and nursing care.

A report to councillors said that during the consultation, concerns had been raised about the notion of reducing care home placements, with some saying those placed in care homes are already those who have the very highest need, and this strategy may place additional pressure on practitioners and families.