THE green light has been given to a 3.84 per cent council tax rise by Slough councillors.

Residents will see their basic council tax bill rise by 1.84 per cent with a two per cent added precept for adult social care - set by government to help pay for local adult care. It adds up to an extra 90p a week for Band C properties.

Councillors met yesterday to vote on this year’s budget as councillor James Swindlehurst, Labour leader of the council, introduced the finances.

He said Slough Borough Council (SBC) has seen a 23 per cent drop in spending power against the UK average drop of 13 per cent, leaving £433 less funding available to spend per resident.

READ MORE: Activists are set to make their voices heard at Royal Borough Council

Frontline services will have an extra investment which includes £1.2 million in adult social care, £1.6 million in children services and nearly one million pounds in tackling homelessness.

Projects SBC will fund includes a new youth hub, plans for the redevelopment of the former Thames Valley University site where 1,400 homes are proposed, planting 9,000 trees across Slough.

An emotional Cllr Swindlehurst praised his cabinet and staff for their continued work within Slough and keeping the budget balanced for this year.

He said: “It’s a tremendous privilege to be leader of Slough Council and to work with the people that we work with.

“I think the heavy lifting that we’ve done over the last few years is now very obvious and out there for everyone to see.

“We are doing the good for the people that we serve, and I think that’s what politics should be about.”

READ MORE: Visitors from Northern Ireland enjoy Slough hospitality

Wayne Strutton, leader of the opposing Conservative party, welcomed the idea of the council reviewing its election cycle which could save around £400,000, but also accused the cabinet of “smoke and mirrors” and hiding the truth of delivering children's services.

He said: “The budget I am not against, but what I am against, and I believe this council has to consider, is the ability to deliver it because it’s not willing to take the changes necessary.

“We have a leader who feels that he is above being questioned and given advice.

“This authority has issues and if he wants to deliver these extremely desirable outcomes and projects, it needs to keep to those changes, transformations and change the way it operates.”