People are facing a 4.99% increase in the share of council tax they pay to Norfolk County Council next year, with County Hall's leader taking a swipe at his own government for forcing a choice between the hike or service cuts.

If the council does agree the proposed rise when it meets to agree its budget next month, it would add between £51 and £152 a year to council tax bills for people across the county.

The Conservative-controlled council has published its budget proposals, which also include nearly £60m of savings such as cuts to the county's mobile library service and changes which will trigger the loss of jobs among County Hall workers.

However, plans to shut recycling centres on Wednesdays, which had prompted controversy, have been scrapped.

Eastern Daily Press: Andrew Proctor, leader of Norfolk County CouncilAndrew Proctor, leader of Norfolk County Council (Image: Norfolk County Council)

Council leader Andrew Proctor said: "The government expects county councils to raise council tax by 4.99% and bases all its spending assumptions on that.

"We are having to propose that rise because, without it, we would have to cut services. We have no real alternative, without fair funding.

Eastern Daily Press: A 5pc increase has been proposed for Norfolk County Council's share of council tax billsA 5pc increase has been proposed for Norfolk County Council's share of council tax bills (Image: Archant)

"We cannot keep putting the burden on council taxpayers, when we should be receiving fair and sustained funding, including for social care."

The council tax rise, which is made up of a 2.99% increase for general council tax and 2% ring-fenced for adult social care, would increase the share of a Band D annual bill which goes to the council from £1,516.95 a year to £1,592.64.

The council says much of the £59.7m savings will come from "doing things better for less", including £17m from a strategic review.

Eastern Daily Press: Tom McCabe, head of paid service at Norfolk County CouncilTom McCabe, head of paid service at Norfolk County Council (Image: Supplied)

Tom McCabe, head of paid service at the council, previously said that review would lead to "significant" job losses and council documents show staff consultation will begin in February.

The mobile library service will also see cuts. The number of stops the vehicles visit is due to reduce by 242 stops for 2023/24, to save £107,000. That has been scaled back from the £200,000 saving originally planned.

Steve Morphew, leader of the Labour group at County Hall said: "This is a budget based on the failure of our council leader to win more resources for Norfolk and a government that has crashed the economy after 10 years of austerity."

Liberal Democrat group leader Brian Watkins said: "At a time when we have a cost of living crisis, it is unfair that the burden is falling on taxpayers in Norfolk. The government is making council scapegoats for its failures."