COUNCIL tax in Keighley and Bradford could rise by almost six per cent this year if proposed changes are passed next month.

After increases have grown larger over the past three years, 2018 could see the biggest rise so far, after the Government gave councils the power to increase their core Council tax requirement next year by an additional one per cent, on top of the existing 1.99 per cent, without a local referendum.

Along with a three per cent increase to cover the costs of social care, this would mean Council tax would rise by 5.99 per cent if the proposals are approved.

This is one per cent higher than last year, two per cent higher that 2016, and more than four per cent higher than 2015.

A public consultation is currently open until Sunday, January 28, on the proposed rises, which will then go before Full Council in February.

Since 2010, Bradford Council has made £255.8 million of budget savings, and has invested £48 million into priority areas, largely to help cover increasing demand for social care services.

The Government is continuing to make cuts to council funding and will stop paying councils general grants for local services by the end of the decade, money which will then have to be found through Council tax, business rates and charges.

Bradford Council faces the challenge of making a further £30.7 million in cuts by 2020.