PEOPLE living in ‘average’ band D properties will see their Council Tax bills for services such as waste collection rise to  £199.83 from April.

The Forest Council agreed the 2.99 per cent increase at its meeting on Thursday, February 16.

The overall bill will also include £1,523.78 for Gloucestershire County Council and £295.05 per year for the police, along with varying amounts for parish councils.

The district council is responsible for services such as waste collection, planning, licensing, housing, parking and leisure with the county council delivering other services such as maintaining roads, adult social care, education, children’s services and public health.

Finance cabinet member Richard Leppington (Progressive Independents, Bream) said the budget allows the council to tackle some of the key issues that matter to residents of the Forest of Dean.

He explained the budget has been agreed without having to draw on reserves, something that very few other councils have been able to do.

He said: “I am pleased to announce we have delivered a budget that not only continues to deliver high quality services but also allows us to tackle some of the key issues we know matter to residents of the Forest of Dean.

"This budget has been agreed without having to draw on reserves, something that very few other councils have been able to do.

“Over the past 10 years we have lost a great deal of our funding and we’re expecting to lose more funding from the Government in the coming years. When this is considered alongside the rising inflation and increased service costs, it is clear to see the financial pressures that we are facing as a district council. 

“In order to continue to provide all the services we deliver for you while still delivering high quality services, we have been working hard to make savings and this year alone we are projected to save more than £340,000.

“We receive less than 9.44p from every £1 of the Council Tax bill that you pay, with the majority going to the County Council and other public organisations, however we are still able to deliver over 50 services for residents including waste collections, planning, supporting local communities and businesses, and much more.”

He added that help is available for those who will struggle to pass their Council Tax.

He said: "Due to rising costs and the financial challenges that we face we have had to make some difficult decisions and we appreciate that some residents may require support at this difficult time.

"If you’d like to discuss the support available to you, please visit our website or call our customer services team to see if you are eligible for help through our Council Tax Support Scheme.”