Kingston residents will see their council tax rise by another 5 per cent in April, with average band D households paying nearly £2,500 over the coming year.

Kingston Council approved plans to raise council tax by the maximum amount allowed without a referendum last Thursday, 27 February.

Lib Dem Council Leader Andreas Kirsch said he was 'incredibly proud' the authority had balanced the budget for 2025/26, despite facing tough economic challenges.

The authority's share of council tax will increase by 4.99 per cent overall, including a 2.99 per cent hike for general use and an extra 2 per cent for adult social care.

The average band D household in most areas of Kingston will pay total council tax of £2,488 in 2025/26, including an increase in the council's share of the bill by £95 to £1,998.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan's share will increase by £19 to £490 for the average band D household to help fund police, fire and transport.

The authority has set a budget of £190.6m for 2025/26, which it will spend on services for residents – including increased spending to meet spiralling demand for care packages for vulnerable adults, placements for children in care and temporary accommodation for homeless families.

A total of 1,110 families are expected to be living in temporary accommodation in Kingston by March 31.

The council plans to save £6.7m to ease these pressures by working more efficiently over the coming year.

Plans it has outlined to achieve this include digitising more services, cutting jobs, limiting paper use and completing its rollout of LED street lighting across the borough.

The authority also plans to adopt a new demand-led pricing model across its car parks based on use, capacity, location and competitor offers, while it will stop subsidising the management of Kingston Ancient Market as a new operator will take over under different arrangements from April.

Opposition councillors slammed the budget at the meeting, as they claimed residents were suffering from a decline in services while being expected to pay even more council tax. Conservative councillor Rowena Bass said residents 'deserve better for their high council tax'.

She said: "We've all seen the state of our roads, including potholes, and yet this budget includes further cuts to highway maintenance, there's litter and graffiti everywhere, the verges are full of weeds, dirty pavements in the town centre covered in gum… the grass cutting is less frequent, on bin days the bins are left strewn along pavements, making it impossible for people with pushchairs or those disabled, visually impaired to navigate."

Independent councillor James Giles added: "Every year you ask residents to pay more, turn on the taps, without plugging the holes first."

But Lib Dem councillor Andrew Wooldridge said: "It is a budget that responds to the pressures we face while ensuring we continue to deliver the services our residents very much rely upon, and the facts are the financial reality is clear, like many councils Kingston is under strain.

"The rising costs for social care, the demand for housing, the impact of inflation have made balancing this budget harder than ever. We really do have some tough choices to make, but our priority remains the same – to support those who need us most, whilst managing our finances responsibly."

The budget was passed at the meeting, with 39 councillors voting in favour and five against.

Lib Dem Council Leader Andreas Kirsch said: "We are working hard with partners and communities to transform our services and support residents in the best and most efficient way possible.

"This includes innovative early support and prevention work and using technology in new and creative ways to help residents live more independent and fulfilling lives.

"We also continue to work with regional partners to lobby for a fair funding deal for local authorities."

The authority has published a breakdown of the total council tax residents in each band will pay, which is listed below:

Band A: £1,659

Band B: £1,935

Band C: £2,212

Band D: £2,488

Band E: £3,041

Band F: £3,594

Band G: £4,147

Band H: £4,977

The authority has also provided a breakdown of the total council tax residents subject to the Wimbledon and Putney Commons Conservators' (WPCC) levy will pay, according to their band, which is included below:

Band A: £1,686

Band B: £1,967

Band C: £2,248

Band D: £2,528

Band E: £3,090

Band F: £3,652

Band G: £4,214

Band H: £5,057

The government lifted the referendum cap in November 2022, which means councils can raise taxes by 4.99 per cent annually without the need for it to be voted in by residents.

Kingston residents on a low income or claiming certain benefits can get help on their bills through the council tax reduction scheme.