Waltham Forest council has agreed to a council tax hike as part of its budget for the coming year.

The 1.99 per cent rise, which equates to an extra £58 per year for residents living in a Band D property, was backed at a council meeting on Thursday (March 2).

The local authority will also make £4.5 million from its adult social care budget as a result of reduced funding from central government.

Council leader, Chris Robbins, presented the budget, his last before he steps down later this year.

Cllr Robbins said: “We have had savage cuts imposed on us year after year since the Tories came to power in 2010. Despite that we have continued to put residents’ aspirations and priorities first.

“Back in 2010 I would have never believed the tragedy would still be with us today, we still have a government punishing councils, withdrawing finances for vital services.

“Over £100million has been taken from our budget from a government that has created the worst crisis of poverty in our country for gens.

“Last few years have been deeply challenging I fear the next few years could be worse.”

In the past seven years, the council has made cuts worth around £92 million from its annual budget.

This year, key announcements include a £2.1 million cut for children and family services a £6.7 investment in the council’s IT systems and a £1.4 million cut in neighbourhood services.

The council also hopes to make somewhere in the region of £5.2 million from parking, transports and CCTV services next year, up from the £4.7 million it raked in during 2016/17.

Conservative group leader, Cllr Matt Davies, backed the council tax rise, criticising the government’s decision to cut funding for adult social care.

Cllr Davies said: “Unlike many other authorities both in London and elsewhere, Waltham Forest council took the hard decisions when it was best to make them.

“This means that unlike others, we do not find ourselves this year having to make massive and painful cuts to services out residents rely on.

“We accept that the council tax rise is both necessary and reasonable and even more in the light of the funding crisis currently facing social care.

“It would be irresponsible of any party to not accept the need for the rise.”