Merton Council has voted to raise its council tax by the highest possible amount.

At a meeting last night, the council agreed to increase the tax by 4.99% - the maximum amount allowed without triggering a referendum.

Of this, 2% will pay for adult social care with the rest paying for other services.

This is around £1.12 a week for a Band D property.

The council said that due to funding cuts from the Government, it has had to make savings of £10m per year in addition to savings agreed in previous years.

cabinet ,ember for finance, Councillor Mark Allison, said: “We have managed the pressures on our finances by taking a business-like approach, being efficient and innovative, and working in partnership with other organisations ways to do the same things more cheaply.

“Unfortunately, government cuts on this unprecedented scale are bound to have an impact, but our approach has helped us protect services for those who rely on us most - older and disabled people and vulnerable children – and helped make Merton a great place for families.”

At the meeting the council also agreed not to reduce council tax rebates for low income households, and has decided that young people leaving care will be exempt from paying council tax from 2019/20 until they are 25.