A DOUBLE whammy is due to hit Royal Borough residents when their Council Tax bills arrive.

The council's proportion of the bill - which makes up the vast majority of it - will rise by almost three per cent, seeing an average Band D property bill rise to £961.33 up £27.91 from last year. The Adult Social Care levy remains the same from previous years at £74.74 for a Band D property.

The announcement comes the same week as Police Commissioner for Thames Valley Sir Anthony Stansfeld announced a proposed rise in his force's proportion of the Council Tax which will see Band D property owners face a further of £24 to fund recruitment and improved services - although will have to be ratified at the Police and Crime Panel of February 1.

The Royal Borough says its rise is the lowest outside London and will ensure key services like weekly bin collections remain.

Councillor Michael John Saunders, cabinet member for finance, said: “Like all councils we have experienced challenging financial positions. We have also had to allow for the uncertainty around Brexit and how that may impact on the council and the services we provide.

“We have also seen increasing demand and cost associated with providing children services, adult services and children in care which is expected to continue in 2019/20 and our budget reflects that changing position."

But he said the council was responding to the results of a recent residents' survey by making extra money available for parks and roads and would also be investing in the infrastructure.

The authority is planning a £25million worth of capital investment with £2.9million focussing on community facilities.

There will be new Christmas lights for Old Windsor, £150,000 for improvements to Windsor's Guildhall, £350,000 for refurbishments to Clewer Memorial Pavilion improving toilets and sports storage facilities, £250,000 for a community café in Dedworth, plus than £200,000 to be invested in libraries.

Investing in roads and the highways network will come to over £12.7 million including the strengthening of Elizabeth Bridge on Royal Windsor Way and replacing and improving the junction at Dedworth Road/Hatch Lane and Parsonage Lane.

It is planned to spend £150,000 on road safety schemes across the borough to reduce the number of injuries caused by road accidents.