Dorset households will see an increase of 22p a day in the county council's share of the council tax after a rise of almost six per cent was approved.

This is the county council's share of the bill and does not include precepts from other authorities.

The 5.99 per cent increase includes the 'core' DCC council tax plus a levy for adult social care.

Due to recent flexibility granted to local authorities, councils are able to raise council tax rates by 2.99 per cent (previously 1.99 per cent) without holding a local referendum.

DCC's cabinet member for community and resources, Tony Ferrari said: "We've taken that opportunity which we predict will raise over £2 million." 

Cllr Ferrari added, another 2.99 per cent increase had been assumed for the following year – but the council would look at this closer to the time.

On top of annual rises in 'core' council tax, Mr Ferrari said the council had agreed to levy a six per cent precept for adult social care of which three per cent was taken last year and the other three would be taken this year - bringing this year's total tax increase to 5.99 per cent. 

The increase will cost the average band D household an extra £79.47 a year or 22p a day.

Those in the highest tax bracket will see a hike of almost £159. 

The increases were agreed when DCC's budget report and Medium Term Financial Plan for 2018-2019 were brought before the cabinet yesterday. 

In his report, chief financial officer, Richard Bates said: "Cabinet has been clear in its strategy for council tax throughout recent budget rounds. The sustained reductions in funding from Government have meant the cabinet had found it necessary to continue to increase council tax." 

The report outlined the core tax hike had enabled budget issues around the coroner's services to be resolved and additional funding to be provided for looked after children. 

Funding delivered through the three per cent social care precept must be used on adult social care but Mr Bates' report stressed this did not mean the adult and community services budget would increase by this amount.

"This budget remains the highest area of the council's spend and clearly cannot be protected from either efficiency savings or other budget reductions, such as the continuing magnitude of funding change."

The report stated the for 2018-19, the adult and community services budget is predicted to overspend by £1.15 million.

"In Dorset the combination of rurality, ageing population and increasing focus from the NHS on reducing costs in continuing care and discharging people from hospital is having a significant adverse impact on ability to contain costs," it said. 

As well as the council tax increase, service users for non-residential adult social care will be hit with a five per cent increase in fees and charges. 

However, Cllr Jill Haynes said the increase would not be across the board and nobody would be charged extra without a financial assessment. 

Cllr Ferrari added: "Adult social care is largely provided to people on minimum wage. The increase is only for service users who are in a position to pay."