DEVON County Council agreed at its full council meeting on Thursday, February 19, to a 4.99% increase in council tax to help fund a big boost for under-pressure social care.

It is hoped the council tax rise will also help fund care for elderly and vulnerable people.

The rise equates to an extra £60.30 a year for the average Band D council taxpayer or just over £1 a week.

This means Devon will be charging £1,267.92 per year for a Band D property.

Councillors agreed a rise of 1.99% for general services such as education, caring for children, roads and economic development.

They also accepted the Government’s offer of a 3% increase to spend directly on adult health and social care.

This will help fund a big boost of £18.7-million or nearly 10% more for services for the elderly and vulnerable — this will take the total social care and health budget to £216.5-million.

Devon’s deputy leader and finance chief John Clatworthy said: “Caring for the elderly, disabled people and children are our highest priorities. We are championing the elderly, the vulnerable and the young.

“With reduced Government support and the increased demand and cost pressures on adult care and health, it is essential to take advantage of this.

“We need the certainty of income to protect services as caring for the elderly and disabled people, together with children, are our highest priorities.”

Devon has a high proportion of people over 65 and people over 85.

In 2015 the percentage of people in Devon aged over 65 was 24.6% compared to 17.8% nationally.

The percentage of people over 85 was 3.79% compared to 2.56% nationally.

Devon currently has the same proportion of over 85’s that the rest of the country will have in 2030.

Council leader John Hart said: “There is still considerable uncertainty about whether the Government will provide extra funding for vital health and social care, which is under immense pressure both in Devon and nationally.

“But we must step up to the plate. Devon has one of the highest proportions of people over 65 and people over 85 and they need and deserve our help and support.

“So despite the continuing austerity agenda from the Government, we have found extra money for these vital services. We have always said our priority is to protect the most vulnerable in our society and I believe this budget will help to do that.

“We have considered this increase very seriously indeed because we are well aware of the strain that household budgets are under.

“But everyone knows that health and social care is under intense pressure and we must step up to the plate and do our utmost to look after our frail elderly and the most vulnerable in our communities.

“The rise will cost the average Band D council taxpayer £1.16 a week extra and I believe we are justified in asking for that to help protect and support some of the most vulnerable people in society.”