People living in Borehamwood and Potters Bar will have to pay more council tax following a decision by councillors at Hertfordshire County Council.

The average band D household will be charged an extra 43p a week, a rise of £22.26 a year.

The 1.99 per cent council tax rise is the first increase the authority has made in six years - and is the most the authority can raise it by without a county-wide referendum.

Despite cuts to bus services and its library service, the authority says the rise is necessary to plug a gap in its budget.

It says the added cash will be used to fund future investment.

Councillor Derrick Ashley, cabinet member for resources, said: “We haven’t asked residents to pay a penny more council tax since 2009 because we know that many have struggled following the recession.

“However, with the economy showing signs of sustained recovery, we believe it’s time to ask for a modest increase in the amount residents pay to help prepare for the looming gap in funding we face over the next few years.

"Increasing pressures on our essential statutory services mean we must act to protect them; for example, we have more older people requiring care.

“If we want to continue to provide these services without seeing reductions in the amount of money we have to spend elsewhere – for example to invest in Hertfordshire’s infrastructure – it’s vital we look to the future and act prudently.”

The council said it made the decision in the face of a deficit which will rise to £66m by 2017/18, having cut £172m from its annual budget since 2010.

The savings include reducing staff numbers, cutting £2m from libraries and controversial plans to axe many subsidised bus services. The bus proposals are currently being consulted on.

Cllr Ashley added: “In taking this decision, we've listened to residents who have told us they're prepared to see a small increase in council tax to protect these services.

“The rise is equivalent to an average 43 pence per week for a band D household and will help us to continue to provide essential services – from social care and education to fire and rescue and maintenance of the county’s 3,000 miles of road.

“We are always looking for ways to get the best value for money for residents and we will carry on finding innovative ways to be more efficient.”

But Labour group leader for Hertfordshire, Councillor Leon Reefe, said: “Our amendments were properly costed and used a Revenue surplus. It really is a shame, but typical that the Tories continue to penalise the most vulnerable in the community.

“Under this administration it is a crime to be old or young, a student or in low paid work or on benefits. Those goups seem to constantly be the target, and that is very worrying”.