ST HELENS Borough Council cabinet has approved plans to increase council tax by 4.99 per cent in 2021/22. Cabinet members voted unanimously to approve the plans during a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, February 24, which will see residents face a 4.99 per cent increase this year, with a rise of 3.99 per cent for each subsequent year. The proposed changes will mean an annual council tax bill of £1,578.78 will apply to Band D properties. In 2020/21, a Band D property cost £1,503.75 – meaning the increase will cost the average property £75.03. The cabinet also agreed there will be no change to the council tax reduction scheme until the next financial year, when the “full impact” of COVID-19 is known.