BOROUGH chiefs have voted to back a bid to increase council tax by almost five per cent this year.

At a meeting of Cheshire East Council’s cabinet on Tuesday, February 7, councillors voted in favour of recommending the corporate plan for 2017-18, which sets a council tax increase of 4.99 per cent.

The increase includes a three per cent rise in precept for adult social care – but councillors agreed the measure would not be enough to maintain the service in the long-term.

Cllr Paul Bates, cabinet member for health, said: “We are all aware of the situation in healthy and its massive overspends.

“It’s not ideal but it’s something we have to deal with and it’s going to be a very difficult time.”

Following its third-quarter review for the financial year, CEC forecasts an over-spend of £1.7 million which it claims is a ‘stronger’ performance than other borough councils.

Cllr Peter Groves, cabinet member for finance, added: “This tax increase responds to both the costs and demand of adult social care.

“We are seeing central government grant reductions of £14 million in 2017-18 and council tax increases are expected to go some way to replacing that.”

CEC’s full council is expected to vote on whether to accept the recommendation on Thursday, February 23.