Following a turbulent year which saw residents fork out more on their council tax following a 9.99 per cent hike in Council Tax, the local authority has confirmed another increase is on the horizon.

Draft proposals published in December 2023 stated residents could expect a 4.99 per cent increase in the 2024/25 financial year.

However Slough Borough Council leader, Cllr Dexter Smith, has confirmed it may be more.

In an open letter to residents introducing the proposed budget, Cllr Smith wrote: "This is a plan to deliver value for money to residents; for the council to live within its means, and to deliver a sustainable approach moving forward.

"The Council's much publicised bankruptcy in 2021 still impacts the council today - last year Labour increased your Council Tax by 9.99 per cent and they intended to do so again this year.

"We pledged we wouldn't do that - and I am pleased to say that we will honour that commitment in our Budget by proposing an 8.5 per cent Council Tax increase."

Addressing the rise, a Slough Conservative spokesperson added: "In December, the Cabinet approved a proposed 4.99 per cent Council Tax increase.

"It has however become clear from our robust audit of the Councils finances, that more examples of Labours financial incompetence have come to light which has significantly worsened the Councils financial position.

"Given the new information which has come to light, to propose a Council Tax rate of lower than 8.5 per cent would not be financially prudent at this time, and would involve making further cuts to Council services.

"This is the hard but right choice for Slough at this time."

Of the Council Tax rise, 0.51 per cent will be going on Adult Social Care - which the council have pledged to invest an additional £8million into.

Amid the increase, the council have also outlined how it will role out a weekly food waste collection as part of the council tax rise.

The six month trial will start in March and cover a total of over 5,000 households who will receive food caddies to be collected weekly.

The scheme would then be rolled out across the whole Borough by autumn.

A Slough Borough Council spokesperson said: "We listened to residents concerns regarding the move to fortnightly bin collections, and we have acted accordingly."

Under the plans, the average Band D Council Tax could rise from £2,023.42 to approximately £2,195.41 - to be confirmed.