Why tax payers in Harborough will pay about an extra £1 a week on their council tax

They will be hit with the rise as Leicestershire County Council hikes its slice of the tax by 3.99 per cent to generate another £12 million.

The cash-strapped council is acting as it sets out to make dramatic savings of £80 million.

The local authority will have a £390m revenue budget for next year to bankroll vital services across the county.

The council will also have a four-year capital pot of £600m - to pump in to new roads, schools, social care and other services.

An extra £34m will be ploughed in to supporting vulnerable people while £7m more will be shelled out on crucial road maintenance.

Existing opening hours at recycling and household waste sites will stay as they are now.

The £600m capital pot features a range of one-off investments.

The cash will be spent supporting new homes, new roads, school places and social care accommodation.

It will also be used to roll out broadband as well as maintaining roads and drains.

Some £16 million will go into tackling climate change.

Deputy council leader, Cllr Byron Rhodes, said: “This is a budget balancing growing service demands and investment in priorities, with residents’ needs at its heart.

“We can balance the books for two years, thanks to our strong foundations, but a gap is looming.

“Rising demand for services is generating ever-growing pressure.”

He added: “Since 2010, we’ve saved £210m and eventually, we won’t be able to do it any more.

“With special education needs and disability support at record levels here and nationwide, it’s an issue the Government simply has to recognise.

“Last summer, we asked residents about their priorities.

“And investment in tackling climate change, boosting road maintenance spend and supporting vulnerable people reflect their feedback.

“At £600m, our capital pot is the largest ever. “But with new homes planned, it’s vital we support our communities by ensuring new roads and schools are in place with the biggest investment in the county’s infrastructure for a generation.”

The number of children with special educational needs and disability (SEND) education, health and care plans has rocketed by over 50 per cent since 2015 to 4,730.

Beefed-up investment in adult social care accommodation will allow 60 people a year to move into houses that helps them live more independently.

Leicestershire’s population is set to spiral by 107,000 between 2016 and 2041.