UNPOPULAR but necessary was the sentiment at Southend Council’s latest cabinet meeting as members agreed plans to increase council tax by almost five per cent.

Last week, the council unveiled its draft revenue budget for 2017/18 which showed it must bridge a budget gap of nearly £13million.

Yesterday the cabinet agreed the proposals, meaning council tax looks set to rise by 4.99 per cent, £1.14 a week for Band D, with 1.99 per cent for general use and 3 per cent spent on adult social care.

Council leader John Lamb admitted that the increase, particularly of the social care precept, was not a decision taken lightly.

He said: “None of us would want to put up council tax unless we really needed to.

“We know there are a lot of adults in need of care. Whilst we would’ve hoped there would be new money from government, that has not come forward and therefore we have had to make some tough decisions.

“Those decisions are that we will get that extra precept this year so we’ve got that in hand.

“It’s not a nice thing to do but it needs to be done. The 1.99 per cent increase is the same and has allowed us to minimise job losses here at the council.

“I think this has been very difficult but a good budget going forward.”

Councillor for health and adult social care, Lesley Salter, was optimistic about the challenges her department faced despite initial reservations when the Government approved the precept increase from 2 to 3 per cent in December.

She said: “You can see the huge budget pressures on adult social care and the precept is not raising more money but just providing a little bit more upfront to help us out.

“I am seeing this budget for us as an opportunity rather than threatening.

“We have had to redesign and prove ourselves to really look at how we can help people do the most they can for themselves and keep them as independent as possible for as long as possible.

“I think we’re going the right way and it’s going to work out really well for our residents because there’s some very vulnerable people we have to look after.”