A local party has claimed Hertfordshire County Council is already preparing to hike council tax and cut services to fill a multi-million budget hole.

Hertfordshire Liberal Democrats have claimed services are facing “the highest risk ever seen” due to the ballooning budget hole, which hit £23.5million last month.

According to the local party, following a meeting on September 30, “Hertfordshire County Council is preparing to increase your council tax and cut services next year”.

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However, the county council claims that is not the case and they have already balanced the budget for the financial year.

Lib Dem councillor Paul Zukowskyj said: “We face large increases in council tax and the services we’re paying for will get worse, or even disappear altogether.”

Labour councillor Asif Khan added: “The Conservative government, instead of callously floating the idea of cuts to council budgets, should be supporting them."

Among services rumoured for the chop are costly longer-term investments, including school builds and youth services, as well as parts of the biggest regular spends, such as any adult social care beyond what is legally mandated.

Hertfordshire County Council has said no discussions about council tax for the next financial year have yet taken place.

Council leader Richard Roberts added: “Despite the ever changing financial landscape being seen across the globe, I can confirm that we have already balanced the books for this financial year reassuring residents that our more than 500 services are maintained. 

“We are planning now for next year and we will continue to look after our most vulnerable, fix the roads and support the voluntary sector so that we all get through this together.”

Lower tier local authorities are also feeling the pressure.

The District Councils Network (DCN), which represents 186 lower-tier councils, has warned of a £900m budget shortfall for local councils over the next two years.

Three Rivers District Council has confirmed “quite simply, we have no plans to cut any services”, while Watford Borough Council emphasised its strong financial position when pressed on whether services may be cut.

Local councils and councillors have been contacted for more information. Updates to follow.

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