ANOTHER council tax rise will be a 'tough' ask but is needed to keep vulnerable people safe, a finance chief has said.

Oxfordshire County Council is proposing an increase of five per cent from April, meaning band D households will pay about £64 extra.

For people living in Oxford, this is on top of a two per cent increase – about £6 extra – also set to be levied by the city council.

Lawrie Stratford, the county council's cabinet member for finance, admitted: "It is going to be tough to ask people to pay more.

"But we have to recognise there is a need, which myself and other politicians are going to have to explain.

"We have to make sure we can still protect those who need us, whether they are vulnerable young people or the elderly."

The county council says the tax hike is needed to counter growing pressure from the ageing population and cuts to funding provided by the Government.

It normally cannot increase taxes by more than 1.99 per cent without a referendum, but ministers have said councils will be able to add a three per cent 'social care precept' this year and the next to help plug funding shortages.

This means proposals due to be voted on in February by councillors would see the annual rate the county council charges band D households rise from about £1,282 to £1,346.

Meanwhile, people in Oxford are also likely to face an increase in the city council's tax, from £284.52 to £290.19.