COUNCIL TAX in Wiltshire has been increased by 3.99 per cent.

This means that once costs for fire and police are added in, the average bill will go up by around £80 a year

This will include a two per cent ‘social levy’, which is ringfenced for care for the elderly and vulnerable adults.

The levy is being used to meet the rising demand on adult care services, which is caused by an ageing population in the county.

The 85 to 95 year old age group is set to see the highest increase in Wiltshire, prompting claims by councillors at the full council meeting on Tuesday, that while year on year spend is increasing by £14m, it is not outstripping demand on budget pressures.

Council leader Phillip Whitehead, pictured, said: “Our problem is our basic service areas are growing at a faster rate than our budget is.”

The rise, is more than double the rate of inflation which currently stands at 1.5 per cent.

This comes after Salisbury City Council voted to keep council tax at the same level, meaning residents will continue to pay £208 a year – for a Band D home.

This is the same level they have been at since April 2018.

However, most locals will be charged the Band C rate of £184.91, as this is the bracket which makes up most of the city.

In total, council tax is expected to bring in £3,064,133 for the city authority in the 2020/21 financial year.

However, as well as this tax, locals also have to pay to the precepts to both the police force and fire services.