Councillors are to be handed gold-plated pensions despite record increases in council tax. Councillors are to be handed gold-plated pensions despite record increases in council tax. Tories warn of higher bills The Conservatives said the decision would lead to higher council tax bills to "bankroll gold-plated town hall pensions". At the time, he said removing councillors' pension entitlement would save the taxpayer around £7m a year, or almost £10m in current prices. Council tax bills set to soar by billions On Sunday, The Telegraph revealed that British people are expected to pay an extra £9.4bn in council tax in England by 2029.