Redbridge Council says it may raise council tax next year to pay for adult social care.

The authority has suggested it could raise rates by as much as 3.99 per cent, which would equate to a total of £1,590 per year for the average band D property.

The proposals were outlined in the council’s annual budget report which is up for discussion tomorrow evening at a cabinet meeting at Redbridge Town Hall.

Other suggestions for next year include plans to deliver 5,000 new homes, invest £300,000 to tackle dirty streets, earmarking £1.6million to improve play park equipment and spending £1.5million on CCTV and number plate recognition software.

The council says its investment in CCTV will tackle crime and its automatic number plate recognition software will crack down on traffic offences, raising more income for the borough.

A timescale for these policies has not yet been released and definite council tax rates will not be set until February 2019.

The authority has said it will consult the public on all budget proposals.

Cllr Kam Rai, deputy council leader and cabinet member for finance, said: “Because of government austerity Redbridge has had to make £166million of savings since 2010, around half of our funding.

“This has meant a reduction in staff and changes to the way we deliver services. We have a choice, cut services, or the route we have chosen, focus on investing to generate income and transform the way the council works.

“This is more difficult but if successful means we can retain most of the things residents value.”

Cllr Jas Athwal, council leader, said: “I am determined to ensure Redbridge does not go the way that Tory-run Northampton Council has, which is effectively bankrupt and is being forced to take decisions to close its budget gap.

“It’s time this government recognised the impact its cuts to welfare and local councils have on the most vulnerable, and provide us with the funding we need.”