Council tax bills look set to rise again during the next financial year.

Enfield’s top decision-makers have agreed a 1.99 per cent increase in core council tax and a two per cent rise in the adult social care precept for 2020-21.

The precept is a ringfenced levy that can only be spent on adult social services.

Bills could rise further if the Mayor of London announces an increase in the share of council tax going to City Hall.

Cabinet members agreed the rises, which form part of Enfield’s medium-term financial plan, on Wednesday (October 16).

The changes still need to be signed off at the annual budget, which will be voted on at full council in February.

Cllr Mary Maguire, (Labour, Palmers Green) cabinet member for finance, told Wednesday’s meeting: “General fund finances are tight, and despite the fact that the Government announced some new monies for adults’ and children’s social care, it’s still not nearly enough for the demand pressures we face.

“Our aim has been to set a resilient budget – one that is not reliant on one-off resources.

“The Government’s approach over the past couple of years has been to announce one-off funding, which is not sustainable.

“What we need is proper, decent, predictable funding so we can plan properly.”

Enfield Council had to make £18 million of savings in 2019-20 – on top of £178 million that had already been made since 2010.

The rise in council tax would bring in an extra £3 million a year.

Despite the savings and extra revenue-raising plans, officers are still working to close a £3.5 million budget gap.

Cllr Alev Cazimoglu, (Labour, Jubilee) cabinet member for health and social care, thanked colleagues for helping to protect social care from funding cuts.

Cllr Cazimoglu said: “We have continued to live year-to-year in adult social care not getting the sustainable funding we need.

“The extra money we have been given [by the Government] is not even meeting demand. It is just enough to possibly cover our inflationary costs, like wages.

“It is not being recognised that there is an increased demand for care, so we are not being fully funded in the way that we should be.

“The crisis is continuing – but this administration is doing its best.”