The average taxpayer is expected to pay an extra £5 to Hertsmere Borough Council for its services.

But that rise is unlikely to be the only tax increase Hertsmere residents face - with Hertfordshire County Council and the Police and Crime Commissioner yet to announce its council tax proposals.

On January 15, Hertsmere Borough Council's Executive committee of councillors considered the borough's revenue budget for the financial year of 2020/21.

To help fund the budget, the council is recommending a £5 increase in the borough's share of council tax - which is the same rise taxpayers faced last year.

Someone living in a Band D property will pay an average of just over £182 in council tax to Hertsmere for its services, which include waste and recycling, planning, and housing.

The council says this year's budget will help deliver on its goals and objectives which include: being an enterprising council, planning for the future and supporting communities.

The budget proposal will now go out to consultation with the public before it is considered at a full council meeting on February 26.

Interim managing director at Hertsmere Borough Council, Sajida Bijle, said: "We have taken a cautious approach to setting this year's budget as the latest government spending round was for a single year rather than the multi-year settlement that had been anticipated.

"We have already seen a steep decline in government funding generally since 2010 (down from 54 per cent to 23 per cent), meaning we are increasingly looking to new and innovative ways to generate income and balance our budget.

"We are recommending an increase of £5 for our share of council tax in the budget for this forthcoming financial year. This will be essential to enable us to continue to deliver our existing and growing range of services for Hertsmere’s residents."

As a billing authority, Hertsmere collects the council tax every year, but the money residents pay does not all go to the borough council.

On average, Hertsmere gets 10 per cent, or 10p in every £1 you pay, Hertfordshire County Council gets 78 per cent, Hertfordshire's Police and Crime Commissioner gets 10 per cent and, if you live in an area with a parish or town council, they get two per cent.

To find out more information, and have your say on these proposals, visit www.hertsmere.gov.uk/budgetconsultation