DESPITE a last-ditch appeal to Whitehall that produced more cash, Waverley Borough Council approved the maximum permitted tax increase on Tuesday night.

Following a 52 per cent cut in the revenue support grant, Waverley receives, the recommendation was either to raise the borough council’s share of council tax in April by 1.95 per cent, or if the Government permitted by 3.1 per cent.

Given the green light by Government, full council members approved the maximum percentage rise, which means band D council tax in Haslemere will increase by £62.21 a year rather than £60.37, taking into account tax hikes by the county council, police and Haslemere Town Councils.

Waverley leader Robert Knowles told council 11th-hour representations to the Secretary of State for Local Government Greg Clark had improved the settlement finalised last week – but not by enough. Waverley was given £304,000 in transitional relief over the next two years and the Government has withdrawn its proposed negative revenue support grant for 2018 that would have cost the council £350,000.

Mr Knowles said: “Despite these positive changes, the net result means we reluctantly need to increase council tax by £5 a band D property.

“While this would not be our first choice, this increase represents under 2p per day extra for our tax payers.

“This, members, is excellent value for the 110 services this council provides after the past six years when we froze council tax.”

Mr Knowles said he was “really proud” to propose a balanced budget that protected funding for “vital community organisations which include five day centres serving our elderly residents, Hoppa, Citizen’s Advice and many more”.

The leader warned Whitehall funding cuts meant the council would have to rethink “how many much-needed” council homes it could still build, and announced the business plan for its housing revenue account would be reviewed this summer.

Waverley was poised to give up its Local Government Association subscription of £10,000 to cut its budget costs but Mr Knowles successfully proposed continuing to subscribe, because of the association’s help in getting an improved finance settlement.

But an amendment proposed by councillor Kika Mirylees to cut budget costs by reducing the sum of £800,000 to pay for a new visitor centre and cafe at Frensham Ponds and “refurbishing not redeveloping” the existing facilities, was voted down overwhelmingly.

Councillor Julia Potts told the committee: “This is a very exciting plan.

“The buildings are not fit for purpose and it is a fantastic site, a jewel in our crown.”

Carole King welcomed the review of Waverley’s housing revenue account business plan “so it can continue to provide improved services to meet the needs of our tenants”.

Finance portfolio holder Wyatt Ramsdale said: “Waverley has managed to produce a balanced budget without cutting services, but I warn you it will be more difficult next year.

“This is the first increase in six years and it is to the maximum allowed. It was unavoidable in order to protect frontline services but there are also good news items including community organisations receiving the same level of funding for the fourth year running. There has been a catch-up in car park charges but there will be increased spending on car parks with the main focus on Haslemere High Street car park on which £70,000 will be spent this summer.”

nWEST Sussex will receive an extra £6.2million from Government in 2016/ 17 to ease the effects of grant cuts.

County council leader Louise Goldsmith welcomed the additional funding but said the strain on services remained. West Sussex still proposes a 3.95 per cent increase as it faces a budget shortfall of £44.2m, an extra £45.90 a year for band D payers.

Mrs Goldsmith said: “The increase would enable us to continue to protect critical frontline services that are so important to those in need.”

But the Don’t Cut Us Out campaign in West Sussex said the council still plans to reduce allowances paid to disabled people and to raise charges for those who use care services.

Protest group chairman Margaret Guest said: “Vulnerable people will certainly not be protected if planned cuts such as those to care services for people in supported housing, in financial crisis or escaping domestic violence are agreed at the council’s budget meeting.

“WSCC also says more funds need to be generated from those using its care services in order to balance the books. This will mean, among other things, increasing costs for those who can least afford them which is shameful.”

A final decision on the budget will be made at a full council meeting today, Friday, in Chichester.