This is why your council tax is going up next month, and by how much

Leeds council plans to raise council tax rates for 2019-20 by 3.99 per cent, an increase of up to £124.93 compared to the year before.

- > This is the ambulance response time to your Leeds postcodeThe increase is in response to rising demands on social care services and a cut in annual core government funding of £266 million since 2010.

The total increase is made up of 2.99 per cent council tax and a further 1 per cent in adult social care precept, money which will support rising pressures on adult social care services.

In response to higher demand for these services, in 2017-18 the government announced that local authorities with social care responsibilities would have new powers to increase council tax by up to an extra 2 per cent for adult social care.

For 2019-20, social care authorities are able to increase the adult social care precept by up to a further 3%.

The rise is estimated to increase council tax revenue by £15.1 million compared with the previous year, £3 million of which would be from the adult social care precept.

The budget plan for 2019-20 details how the council intends to deliver £22.6 million of savings over the next 12 months.

How much will your council tax increase?

Band A

In 2018-19, council tax on Band A properties was £1,043.70.

A 3.99% increase would see this rise to £1,085.34, an extra £41.64 per year.

Band B

In 2018-19, council tax on Band A properties was £1,217.66.

A 3.99% increase would see this rise to £1,266.24, an extra £48.58 per year.

Band C

In 2018-19, council tax on Band A properties was £1,391.60.

A 3.99% increase would see this rise to £1,447.12, an extra £55.52 per year.

Band D

In 2018-19, council tax on Band A properties was £1,565.56.

A 3.99% increase would see this rise to £1,628.03, an extra £62.47 per year.

Band E

In 2018-19, council tax on Band A properties was £1,913.45.

A 3.99% increase would see this rise to £1,989.80, an extra £76.35 per year.

Band F

In 2018-19, council tax on Band A properties was £2,261.36.

A 3.99% increase would see this rise to £2,351.59, an extra £90.23 per year.

Band G

In 2018-19, council tax on Band A properties was £2,609.26.

A 3.99% increase would see this rise to £2,713.37, an extra £104.11 per year.

Band H

In 2018-19, council tax on Band A properties was £3,131.11.

A 3.99% increase would see this rise to £3,256.04, an extra £124.93 per year.

- > Tooth decay among young children in Leeds drops by a quarterResults from an online public consultation survey on the proposed 2019-20 budget showed that 62 per cent of participants agreed with the approach on council tax.

1,241 participants took part in the survey took place between December 20, 2018 and January 20, 2019.

Those that disagreed with the price hike were asked why with over a quarter of comments saying the increase was too high, or rising beyond wages and inflation.

Leader of Leeds council, Councillor Judith Blake said: “Another very challenging year lies ahead with our funding being cut again and our costs rising.

"In this climate the role of council tax becomes ever more important year on year, as it is needed to go further and further to protect front line services and support our most vulnerable residents.

“We also face significant financial uncertainty in the coming year as this is the last year of our funding agreement with the government and so far we have had no indication as to what happens next, which means we cannot plan ahead in the way we normally would, which is deeply frustrating and concerning.

“Despite these challenges, we continue to manage the council’s finances in the most prudent and robust way we can, constantly being open to new ideas, innovations and ways of working and doing everything we can to tackle poverty and inequality as a compassionate city with a strong economy.

"That approach will continue to guide everything we do over the next 12 months.”