COUNCIL tax is expected to rise nearly three per cent for householders across Worcestershire next year.

The Conservative leadership at Worcestershire County Council says it wants to push up the bill 2.94 per cent, a second successive yearly inflation-busting increase.

The move would see the typical band D bill increase by at least £33 from April, although it is likely to rise by more than £40 if the district councils, police and fire follow suit.

It would add at least £65 to the largest band H properties at one end of the spectrum, and £22 onto the smallest band D homes.

But the rise, which is worth around £6 million in extra cash to County Hall, is below the four per cent 'cap' allowed by ministers without staging a costly referendum.

It came as bosses at County Hall revealed their draft budget for 2017/18, which is due to be discussed by the cabinet next week.

The Tory administration has taken advantage of a special Government rule known as the 'adult social care precept', meaning two per cent of extra council tax income can be ring-fenced to help the elderly and vulnerable.

The remaining 0.94 per cent will help prop up daily services, with the rise subject to a vote by full council in February.

Last year the leadership went for the full rise of almost four per cent, but is suggesting a smaller one this time.

Cllr Simon Geraghty, the leader, said: "The rise we are going for would help put an extra £4 million into helping vulnerable adults, that is one of the core duties of this council.

"We do feel we need to increase council tax and believe the rise we're suggesting is in line with Government expectations.

"I said when I took over as leader that we need to invest in our priorities while making sure things are affordable for the public, for me this is about being pragmatic.

"If we don't need to put it up by the maximum amount, why would we?

"Hopefully that's the message the public will get."

He added that it would still put Worcestershire's council tax among the lowest 25 per cent in the country, £169 a year below the highest in Nottingham.

Cllr Peter McDonald, opposition Labour group leader, said: "It's remarkable and diabolical - yet again the public will be paying more money for less services.

"They are not in the real world, that's a seven per cent rise over two years."

The draft net budget for 2017/18 of £316 million includes the £6.8 million of savings revealed by this newspaper in November, and a 'gap' of £2.9 million.

County Hall controls around 72 per cent of the council bill, making its decision the most significant.

Worcester City Council is proposing to increase its portion by 2.9 per cent, adding a further £5 onto band D bills.