BCP’s Full Council meeting has made the decision not to increase on the core part of residents’ council tax bills for the coming year.

However, the authority has decided to collect the four per cent Adult Social Care element of the bills, much of which was delayed from last year. The Adult Social Care precept equates to an increase of 17p a day for those living in a Band D property.

The council says this means residents have experienced one of the lowest Council Tax increases anywhere in the country over the last two years with over £11 million in Council Tax savings. This now puts a band D property’s 2022/23 bill at £1,603.23.

Council leader Drew Mellor said: “Our 2022/23 budget achieves a core Council Tax freeze, a significant investment to protect vulnerable children and adults, and a multi-million-pound commitment towards tackling climate change.

“It is important that, as a council, we are financially resilient and sustainable into the future, as we continue to deliver on our Big Plan commitment to invest in our iconic place, build new homes and create jobs for local people, and generate wealth for our businesses and families. This budget addresses those important issues.”

Collecting the Adult Social Care portion will only make a small contribution to those critical services, so an additional investment of more than £24 million has been allocated towards protecting and supporting the people who need help the most.

Other investments being made include:

£20 million towards tackling the climate agenda; £5 million towards regeneration opportunities, street cleansing, community safety initiatives, and Festival Coast Live!; £8.2 million for the Cleaner, Greener, Safer programme, essential road maintenance and £1.5 million to improve customer services.

Council Tax bills will begin arriving through residents’ letterboxes in the coming weeks.