Hertfordshire County Council brought in a 5% council tax rise “with heavy hearts” but its use of a tax “windfall” has been criticised.

After the rise was voted through at a meeting on February 21, services will get a £121 million boost over 2023/24, representing a 12% increase, while the council aims to deliver £27.4 million in savings.

Hertfordshire County Council leader Richard Roberts said: “It is with heavy hearts that we find ourselves having to increase council tax, and we haven’t taken this decision lightly.

“The alternative to this rise in council tax would have resulted in substantial cuts to some of the very services that are protecting those most in need.”

Increased spending included a £38 million pay rise for carers, £15 million in cost-of-living support, £19 million for children’s services, £10 million to help children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) get to school, £6.4 million for wase disposal, £4.6 million for highways, and £36.4 million for recycling.

There was a surprise extra £12.8 million to factor in for this year and a recurring £2.7 million boost for the following three years due to better-than-expected council tax receipts, government grants, and buidling sales.

Opposition parties said more of this should have been put to use.

The Liberal Democrats drew up an alternative budget proposal featuring cycle and foot routes, cost-of-living support, and £1 million for children with SEND.

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Lib Dem county councillor Sally Symington said: "When services are creaking at the edges, we should be investing in additional capacity to support those most in need, not tucking funds away in reserves to lose value whilst inflation rampages at over 10%”.

Despite Labour and the Lib Dems voting for each other’s alternative ideas, Labour councillors were also “sad” to see their amendment voted down.

A Labour plan for the money included £1 million for school costs, £2 million to deal with potholes, and also featured an emergency £1 million to help fix an “utter crisis” in SEND provision.

North Watford county councillor Asif Khan said: “It was sad to see the out of touch Herts Conservatives reject these sensible measures.”