RISE: news of a council tax rise was met with a range of responses This week, the News & Star revealed that council tax is set to increase by almost four per cent after Cumbria County Council’s cabinet recommended the rise to full council. The authority said Covid-19 had placed “additional pressure on the council’s budget and on its finite resources”. Peter Thornton, deputy leader of Cumbria County Council, and portfolio holder with responsibility for finance said: “There are still significant pressures on the county council’s core budget. This increase will help raise £5m to invest into essential council services for the most vulnerable and the people who need our support right now in addition to a further £5m ring fenced to deliver social care.