COUNCIL tax could rise as the county plans to spend more on social care, roads and pavements as well as doubling its investment into reducing traffic congestion.

Worcestershire County Council's budget for 2020/21 will be £345 million, up £15m on the £330m of 2019/20.

To help pay for this spending, the authority's share of council tax would be increased by 3.99 per cent next year. Two per cent of that rise would be ringfenced for adult social care services.

The increase is the equivalent to less than £1 per week for a band D property.

Councillor Simon Geraghty, the leader of Worcestershire County Council, said: “We are planning to use these funds to invest an extra £18million (gross) into children’s and adults social care next year to support those most in need.”

Budget proposals for 2020/2021 will be discussed at a meeting on Friday December 20.

“We also want to invest more money on what our residents tell us are most important to them: our roads and pavements, reducing traffic congestion and improving public transport.”

“The Budget that we are proposing includes plans for a substantial tree planting scheme in Worcestershire. We will be working with the Woodland Trust to plant 150,000 new trees in the county to create new woodland areas that will enhance our environment.”

“There are also plans to improve flood mitigation measures as well as upgrading thousands more street lights to more energy efficient LED lights.”