THE deputy council leader says the prospect of increasing council tax is ‘not just a Warrington issue’.

It comes amid fears that there could be a significant hike in council tax in the borough.

Deputy leader Cllr Cathy Mitchell, Labour, said: “Our priority has always been to support those most at risk, and our most vulnerable, to get the help and support they need – in the right place, at the right time. We also want to keep providing good services to all residents within the funding and resource constraints we face.

“We know that although councils can increase their council tax, and that council tax is an important funding stream to keep services running, it simply isn’t a sufficient solution to keep councils running effectively long-term.

“We don’t want to be putting council tax up, particularly during the current cost of living crisis, but the reality is that we have very few alternatives available to us, to keep providing the services our residents want and need.

“We also know that the prospect of increasing council tax is not just a Warrington issue – the BBC reported last week that they believe up to 95 per cent of councils across the country will have to put council tax up by the maximum rate.

“We therefore continue to consider the decisions we will need to make around council tax locally.”