STAR readers have been responding to the announcement that residents will be asked to pay a tax towards the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority in 2019/20.

Steve Rotheram, metro mayor of the region, unveiled budget proposals which included how much people are asked to contribute through a precept to help the Combined Authority "deliver its priorities".

Under the proposals, the Authority says £7.6million will be raised per year by the precept.

The amounts residents will have to pay annually by council tax band are:

-Band A: £12.67

-Band B: £14.78

-Band C: £16.89

-Band D: £19

-Band E: £23.22

-Band F: £27.44

-Band G: £31.67

-Band H: £38

On the charges, metro mayor Steve Rotheram, said “We receive no ongoing government funding for the running costs of our Combined Authority and so we have no option but to ask residents to contribute through a small precept."

Star readers have been sharing their opinions on the proposed payments online.

Stevo1969 wrote: "Farcical. Wasn't the so called Liverpool City Region formed because more combined Authority's could access more funding? Now all of a sudden the residents have to pay. Taxed to death till death".

And Bill Bradbury added: "At no time was the setting up of a regional mayor suggested it will be funded by another precept which is in addition to the police and Parish Councils. Over the years this precept will grow".

Meanwhile, SaintsBoots wrote: "So, after bouncing us into the city region without our opinion or a vote, we are now told we have to pay extra for this shambles which has been used to pay for a bunch of schemes that few us want and in some cases, protested in their thousands against them. You really couldn't make this stuff up."

On social media, Tony Kearns said: "Why? I don’t want a metro mayor. Let’s have a referendum on it".

However, some readers spoke in favour of the precept.

Marco DalFerro said: "20-30 quid extra per year ... really isn’t that bad. Spent that at the pub on a quiz night I never win last week".

Clare Sherwood added: "An average of £30 per YEAR. A small amount to contribute to the prosperity of the region."