Bath and North East Somerset households facing a cost of living crisis are set to see the amount they pay in council tax increase by more than £55 in April.

The average energy bill will rise by £693 a year, according to regulator Ofgem, after a 54 per cent increase on the current price cap, and prices of goods are increasing faster than wages.

The amount the average household pays for policing and fire and rescue services will be £11.52 more in 2022/23 but the biggest share of council tax goes to Bath and North East Somerset Council, which plans to increase its precept by 2.99 per cent – £45.73 more than residents paid last year.

Of that sum, 1.99 per cent will go into the general budget and the other one per cent will be ringfenced for adult social care.

Deputy leader Richard Samuel, the cabinet member for economic development and resources, said: "We do appreciate the impact the rising cost of living is having on residents, but the council is also continuing to face financial challenges due to the ongoing impact of the pandemic, a loss of income, an increase in demand for services, particularly in adult and children's social care, together with recruitment and supply chain issues and inflationary pressures.

"If we are to balance our books, protect frontline services and continue to invest in services that matter to local people, a council tax rise is inevitable but we have kept our increase below the current rate of inflation.

"We do, however, continue to have one of the lowest council tax rates of all unitary authorities in the South West and I believe we provide value for money."

The £136million budget includes some £18million just to keep core services running.

Despite the challenges there are investment plans – including £11.7million for new social housing, £5million for affordable housing, £4million to provide a SEND residential college at Bath College in Radstock, £23.4million of additional investment for waste modernisation and £754,000 for green upgrades for the council's vehicles.

To balance the books the council plans to cut £100,000 from libraries, launch a project to reunite children with their families to save nearly £500,000, keep some empty posts vacant and increase revenue from parking, green waste collections, weddings and events.

Other capital projects in the budget include a £4million unit to accommodate 12 people with special educational needs and disabilities, £385,000 for the Entry Hill bike park, £250,000 for a river mooring strategy and £750,000 to replace Keynsham Memorial Bridge.

Elsewhere in the public sector, a consultation showed that two-thirds of people in Avon and Somerset were willing to pay more for policing.

Police and crime commissioner Mark Shelford said that gives a "solid mandate" for the £10 tax rise for the average band D household – the maximum police forces are allowed – but added: "We accept absolutely that residents across the board in Avon and Somerset are suffering from the huge increase in inflation and that every penny counts, but this is 83p a month.

"We're trying to get that outstanding police force we all deserve."

Chief constable Sarah Crew said the rise was modest compared to the £87million the force has cut from its budget and will more than pay for itself in effectiveness and efficiency.

Avon Fire Authority will meet on February 11 to consider a £1.52 rise for the fire service.

Precepts are also set by town and parish councils that will vary by area.