Liverpool council tax bills to rise - are you getting value for money?

As Liverpool City Council makes plans for the next financial year, a series of recommendations to set a balanced budget have been put forward by its executive team. This includes a hike in council tax of almost 5%.

The money is used to pay for many of our local services - from schools, bin collections and street repairs to libraries, parks and leisure facilities. A portion also goes towards our local police and fire and rescue services.

The next 12 months marks the second of a three year process for Liverpool Council to close a financial black hole of £85m. Despite more than half of the shortfall being delivered in the current financial year, the city council is still seeking to make tens of millions of pounds in savings this year.

We've been on the streets of Liverpool to ask if you think we're getting value for money for our council tax...

• Rose said: "There are lots of areas where not enough money is spent; litter is a problem and fly tipping, but I’m mainly concerned about the provision of social services for the elderly and for young people with special needs."
• Joey said: "No way, but I don’t blame the council. I blame the government because they’re putting restrictions on all the councils all over England."
• Chris said: "I don’t think the city does do a good enough job because you come into the city centre here in Liverpool and you see loads of homeless people. The amount of homeless people in the city centre is ridiculous."

The amount you pay, or your Council Tax band, depends on the valuation of your property. An increase of 4.99% in 2024/25 would equate to an additional £64.81 per year or £1.25 per week for a Band A property - the rate paid by most council taxpayers across Merseyside.

However, the proposed total revenue generated through council tax in the next financial year - £235m - would potentially be outstripped by the bill the authority faces to fund adult social care during the same period - £247m.

• Watch the video above for out full feature on council tax rises and to hear more about what the Liverpool public think about it.