Luton Borough Council pushes through plan to hike tax bills for the 17th time in 19 years

As a result the council will charge 3.95% extra over the next financial year– a move that is estimated to net LBC an extra £5.5 million.

The hike represents a 1.95% increase in LBC’s portion of the standard council tax bill, with an additional 2% on top for adult social care.

Band D households will now have to pay £1,546.32 annually– a £54.05 increase on the current charge.

The hike means that since 1998-99 LBC has increased its council tax charges 17 times and has frozen them just twice (in 2004-05 and 2011-12).

The council has said that its plans to hike the precept for the 2016-17 financial year are the result of swingeing government cuts to funding for local councils.

An LBC report stated that as a result the council “needs to be prepared to make major savings and increase its income on an ongoing basis.”

The budget voted through by councillors on Monday night includes cuts to children’s services and disabled groups.