The stark warning came as councillors from East Suffolk discussed the authority's budget proposals for the upcoming financial year that starts in April during Wednesday night's full council meeting in Lowestoft.

The proposals included a 2.95 per cent increase in council tax, which takes the bill for a Band D property to £197.82 for the year - an extra £5.67.

However, people on low income, or those in receipt of benefits, can apply for council tax support.

According to documents, the authority is facing a £12.3 million gap by February 2028.

But this more than doubles to £25.2m just two years later.

To balance the books this year, the council has had to dip into its reserves for £2.7m.

Full council gave approval to a balanced budget at the meeting as the council committed more than £58m to ensure the continued delivery of quality key services for locals - such as planning, leisure, housing and environmental services, waste collection and parking - while investing in the long-term wellbeing of its communities.

This includes projects to help improve the lives of people in East Suffolk - such as supporting the most vulnerable locals through the Community Help Hub and the ‘Ease the Squeeze’ programme - as well as funding the mobile community pantry and advice hubs until 2027/28.

The budget will also support the Thriving Places programme, which is backed by £500,000 in revenue funding and is set to revitalise the district’s small towns, villages and rural communities.

Along with £1m in capital funding, over the next two years the programme will deliver projects that will promote sustainable local growth and improve community participation in the district’s most rural localities.

Cllr Vince Langdon-Morris, the council's lead for resources, said the budget protected vital services, invested in communities and kept the council on a stable financial footing.

East Suffolk councillor Vince Langdon-Morris, the council's lead for resources. Image: East Suffolk Council (Image: East Suffolk Council)

He said: “We’re pleased to be delivering a balanced budget to protect essential council services that people who live, work and visit the district rely on every day.

"The increase in the portion of council tax we receive (based on a Band D property) equates to just £5.67 extra per household for the entire year – meaning residents paying only an additional 11 pence per week."

Cllr Langdon-Morris however warned the authority was left facing significant challenges from April next year due to a 'cliff-edge drop' in Government funding.

Cllr Paul Ashton warned kicking the can down the road on addressing issues could lead to service cuts and compulsory redundancies in the future.

He said the council would have to hike fees and even potentially look at higher council tax increases to balance the books in the future.

With no amendment submitted to the council's budget, it was agreed 46 to one, with a single abstention.

© Eastern Daily Press