Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) budget plans, which require a 4.99% hike in bills for householders, have been backed by the cabinet. If approved after four weeks of scrutiny overall spending on services – which include education, social services, highways and public health – would increase next year (2024/25) to £1.1bn. The total is up £98m on 2023/24 but will require savings of £46m, as well as plans to use £13m of council reserves and to increase council tax by 4.99%. On Monday (January 15) the proposals were presented to a meeting of the council’s cabinet and will go before all members o…