A COUNCIL tax hike of 5.99 per cent cent has moved a step closer.

The tax rise of 2.99 per cent – the maximum increase without the need of a public referendum under revised Government regulations – and an additional care precept of three per cent was agreed ‘in principle’ last month.

This afternoon, St Helens Council’s cabinet agreed to send the 2018-19 budget for full council for approval.

Cllr Anthony Johnson, cabinet member for corporate services, said the council will receive a one-off social care grant of £602,000 from central Government for 2018-19.

However, he said there will be a continual reduction of support from Whitehall for capital investment.

Cllr Johnson said the Labour-run council has been "forced" into another council tax hike by the Tory Government.

He said: “I think it’s another sad day when we see ourselves forced into yet another big rise for our local residents, because of the cuts from central funding we are seeing, and this is just a headline position of where we are.

“And yet again, year on year we are seeing these cuts delivered to the hard-working Labour authorities of this country.”

Cllr Johnson said St Helens is one of the worst areas affected by Government cuts.

He accused the Government of “attacking” Labour councils to force them to raise council tax so it can continue to provide services.

“This is the Tory vision we’re faced with and we have no choice,” he said.

“We are actually getting close to the bare statutory minimum of services now, and even providing that low level of service we now provide, we’re still forced to put up council tax by that amount.

“This is not a position we want to be in. We need to continue to campaign against this Government and against the way they’re actually treating our residents.

“It’s not the Labour councillors affected, it’s the residents of the Labour boroughs that’s been affected by this and it’s an absolute disgrace.”

Cllr Derek Long, cabinet member for Liverpool City Region engagement, said the council is working in a system that is “skewed” towards Tory boroughs.

He said: “When we’re faced with talking to colleagues about the rises that they face they need to be aware that actually this is the system which has been skewed against us – and it is appalling.”