PEOPLE in Kirklees are facing a 5% council tax rise this year.
The increase is two-and-a-half times the inflation rate of 2%.
And it is at the limit the Government says it will allow before `capping' councils.
Liberal Democrat leaders in the council Cabinet at Huddersfield Town Hall announced their proposals today.
Their increases will put the benchmark Band D rate at £1,246.19, up by £59.33 a year.
Most homes will face an average 82p a week rise, said the council.
Council leader Clr Kath Pinnock today repeated her protests that Kirklees was not getting its fair share of Government grants.
She said: "The council - as it has done for the last 15 years - will continue to press for a more equal share of the Government support grants."
The full council - where the Lib- Dems are the biggest party but do not have overall control - will make its decision on the rises on Wednesday, February 22.
The final figure is subject to charges from West Yorkshire's fire and police authorities.
Clr Pinnock said: "Preparing the coming year's budget has been one of the most challenging tasks for many years, given the continuing Government financial constraints, coupled with an increasing demand for vital services - particularly care services for older people, people with disabilities and those with mental health care needs."
Predictions by opposition councillors of a £36m black hole in finances had proved unfounded, Clr Pinnock added.
"If there had been, we would have had to deal with it," she said.
But she admitted: "Social services overspending has caused us some difficulties. We are not denying that.
"The last year has seen an unprecedented increase in the needs of those requiring vital social services.
"But I want to ensure these vulnerable people are looked after."
Politicians are proposing to spend £279.4m in the 12 months beginning April 1.
They will take £2.3m from reserves to keep the tax rise down to 5%.
Labour group leader Clr Mehboob Khan today accused the Lib-Dems of mismanagement and insisted there was a £36m hole in council finances.
He added: "These budget proposals will force the most vulnerable and needy to pay extra, or everyone will lose services.
"The Lib-Dem proposals include keeping the 50% rise in home care charges."
Latest counts show that 165,600 properties in Kirklees are subject to council tax.
Of these, 76,200 are in Band A, 30,300 in Band B, 28,4000 in Band C, 14,000 in Band D, 10,200 in Band E, 4,500 in Band F, 1,900 in Band G and 100 in Band H.
