Council tax payers in Staffordshire Moorlands will not face increases in their bills in the coming year after the District Council agreed a 0% increase.

This means that Band D payments are frozen at £163.14 a month.

The District Council has set its budget for providing essential services at £11.7m for 2023/24 and agreed changes to the council tax scheme to allow more support to be given to households on the lowest incomes.

These changes will make it easier for working age applicants to apply, provide more support to the lowest income households and maintain current levels of support for other households.

Pension age applicants are not affected by these changes as the support they receive is prescribed by the Government.

The District Council collects council tax on behalf of the County Council, Police and Fire Authorities and town and parish councils but only spends 9% of the total (Sarah Garner).

Councillor Mike Worthington, Cabinet Member for Finance, said: "The rising costs of living continue to affect us all and, at a time when households are already making difficult decisions about how to spend their money, we were very mindful not to add further pressure to stretched budgets.

"That's why we're pleased to announce that our residents will not face increased council tax bills for the next year. At the same, we're also increasing the support we're able to offer to our lowest income households.

"Both of these measures will be a real help to people in our District and will not impact on the high quality, essential public services we deliver.

The funding is used to provide Council services including affordable housing, waste and recycling, street cleaning, leisure centres, parks and playgrounds development and maintenance, support for local businesses, crime prevention activities, benefits services and elections.

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