A DEBT-RIDDEN local authority is still preparing its request to raise council tax above the legal limit for the next two years without holding a referendum.

A Slough Borough Council spokesperson said chief executive Stephen Brown has not yet submitted a letter to the government.

They said: “As agreed by cabinet, the chief executive, in consultation with the leader, finance lead member, and the director of finance, is currently preparing a letter to DLUHC [Department for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities], which is yet to be submitted.

“The amount of any additional council tax increase has not yet been agreed.”

READ MORE: Slough Council requests permission to raise council tax past cap

Senior councillors agreed before Christmas to send a council tax rise request, believing rising inflation will add pressure to its budget and government funding will be less than generous this financial year.

Chancellor of Exchequers Jeremy Hunt announced in his Autumn Statement that all local authorities could raise council tax by 4.99 per cent without going to a referendum. Previously, it could only be raised by 2.99 per cent, and raising it above this cap would require a local vote.

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The council has been constrained ever since it effectively declared bankruptcy last year after it discovered it was £760m in borrowing debt.