ON THE UP: Three Rivers council tax to increase by more than £5 as budget is passed

Three Rivers District Council have recently passed their annual budget, with council tax expected to rise at a rate of £5.65 a year.

At a full council meeting on Tuesday, February 21, the budget also included money for the protection of grassland and Ash Die Back trees, as well as the area’s general infrastructure.

Despite the rise, Three Rivers statistically remains one of the lowest council tax authorities in Hertfordshire and the country.

Council leader councillor Sarah Nelmes said: “This is such a tough time for people across the district – many are facing increasing pressures with rising energy costs, inflation and the overall cost of living. These pressures affect councils too.

“We have worked hard to produce a budget that puts the needs of residents first and the services they value. So, we have not cut services or support in the way that some other councils have – and we have kept our increase as low as we possibly can to maintain all our services.”