Taxpayers will face a hike in their tax bill next year according to draft council documents seen by the LDRS.

Council tax in Slough is set to rise by the maximum amount next year following the publication of the council’s draft budget.

The borough’s council tax is expected to rise by 4.99 per cent in the next financial year under the plans, which is the highest it can go up without government permission.

However, it is a lower rise than in this year’s budget, in which the previous administration implemented a rise of 9.99 per cent.

Council leader Dexter Smith said: “It is undeniable that Slough continues to face a challenging financial situation, with exceptional financial support from government still in place.

“In May the residents of Slough made it clear that they did not want to continue paying more to get less.

"Today I am pleased to say that we will halve Labour’s planned 10 per cent Council Tax increase, and honour our commitment to cap Council Tax at 4.99 per cent.

“This is a budget which shows our commitment to our most fundamental promise to Slough residents; while finding £10.8 million of efficiencies and additional income.”

The draft budget also includes £8m investment into adult social care, £1.4 into temporary accommodation and £171,000 in customer service improvements. It also aims to add new enforcement powers to improve street safety and a new lease for Slough Town football club.

It comes amid a backdrop of financial woes for the council, which issued a Section 114 notice in 2021 under the previous administration – declaring the council effectively bankrupt.

However, Slough Borough Council’s Labour group lead Pavitar Mann accused the administration of failing to keep manifesto commitments and delivering a balanced budget.

She said: “Slough Labour Group will present its alternative budget in March where we will set out our priorities for the town.

“However, the Conservative Group have broken their manifesto commitments to the town since their first council meeting and this budget continues to do just that. They have not delivered a balanced budget, having to rely on one off use of reserves which is entirely unsustainable.”

She added: “We recognise that mistakes were made in previous years but the Conservative administration show no signs of rectifying them or putting the real concerns of Slough residents first.”

Council tax is one of the key sources of revenue for local authorities, which helps cover the council’s day-to-day expenditures on its services.

Slough Borough Council’s deputy leader and finance lead councillor Wal Chahal said: “I am proud to present this draft budget to the people of Slough, and to open it for consultation.

“I inherited a challenging financial position from my predecessor; budgets which were not fit for purpose; past mistakes lurking in prior years accounts, and a lack of robustness in financial systems.”