Sandwell residents face council tax rise – with another hike on the horizon

Chiefs are planning to raise the tax for council services by 2.99 per cent in 2018-19, alongside a two per cent increase in adult social care – a total rise of 4.99 per cent.

This will mean the authority has raised council tax by 4.99 per cent two years in a row – after managing to freeze it for the six years up to 2016.

The new level will come into force from April, with the planned increase working out at around an extra £1 a week for families.

Councillor Steve Trow, cabinet member for core council services, said the authority's hand had been forced by the Government.

He told the Express & Star: "Government now assumes that councils will increase their council tax when deciding how much funding to give us.

"There is a presumption there will be an increase and we're doing no more than than closing the gap.

"In that sense we are no different to other authorities who will also be raising council tax.

"The difference for us is – unlike some other councils – we are still emptying out bins every week, still cleaning roads and haven't closed any frontline services.

"We are also building hundreds of new homes, so I think we're in an enviable position.

"This will go to full council in March but we are confident it's going to be a balanced budget."

A report for a cabinet meeting this week (weds) says the council is planning 'council tax increases of 2.99 per cent in each year plus a precept of two per cent for adult social care in 2018-19 and a further one per cent in 2019-20'.

The proposals will be rubber-stamped by cabinet before going to the authority's full council for a final sign-off in March.

The cabinet report also highlights how much the authority expects to recoup from its council tax.

It will net £91.4 million in 2017-18, rising to £98.9m in 2018-19 and £104.1m in 2019-20, according to a table in the report.