TOWN hall chiefs are set to rubber stamp plans for a council tax hike of almost six per cent – but bosses say rates are still the second lowest in the county.

Blackburn with Darwen Council is expected to approve the rise of 2.99 per cent – plus a three per cent increase to go towards social care – on Monday night.

The change means people living in an average band A property will pay £1,140 a year.

The council’s deputy leader Cllr Andy Kay said: “It is extremely difficult for the council to make this decision especially when it is hard for residents to pay.

“The government has reduced the funding so we will have to put up council tax so that the services people have been getting will not be affected.

“We have seen six or seven years where the government have been planning to cut income tax, and levels for person allowances and cutting corporation tax by significant amounts but the loss of funding is being passed onto local authorities and that means our funding is cut.”

The increase means people living in a band B property will pay £1,330.71 a year; for band C it will be £1,520.79; and for band D £1,710.91.

Cllr Kay added: “Our hand is being forced to take these actions. We have been quite competitive on managing the cuts.

“We have relied on library volunteers to deliver the services as an example.

“We are continually struggling because of the high numbers of elderly people in society and meeting their needs.

“It is crucial that people in adult social care get the services as they are in need.

“Blackburn with Darwen’s council tax remains low when compared to other councils.

“It has the second lowest council tax in Lancashire, though we know that any increase adds to the very real pressures people are already facing.”

Cllr Kay, said there were no further plans to cut services.

He added: “We put together a three to four year medium term strategy and plan for the future.

“But we cannot do that at the minute because the Government has not told us how much we will be getting.

“Our proposed budget strategy will continue to focus on delivering the council’s priorities and will try to minimise the impact of spending cuts through the delivery of efficient and effective services, while ensuring the council operates within the financial constraints imposed by central government.”

Earlier this month, Lancashire County Council approved the same increases in council tax.

It is the maximum permitted increase without the need to hold a referendum.

Since 2010 the council has lost approximately 40 per cent of its funding from central government, while costs have grown for social care, highways and waste disposal.