Sandwell Council tax rise approved with no questions asked about 80-page report
Council taxpayers in Sandwell face a 2.9 per cent increase in their bills after councillors approved a proposed budget with no opposition.
The rise in charges for local services was agreed at the borough’s cabinet on Wednesday as members backed the financial plans in just under ten minutes, with no questions asked about an 81-page report.
Included in the mass of financial details was a recommended council tax increase of 1.99 per cent plus an additional one per cent ring-fenced for adult social care.
This amounts to the total rise for a Band B property of £33.89 a year starting in April.
The increase is less than expected after a decision to defer an extra 1.99 per cent for adult social care until 2022.
It is a smaller rise than at neighbouring Walsall, Wolverhampton and Dudley councils, which are increasing tax by 4.99 per cent.
Councillor Wasim Ali, cabinet member for resources and core services, introducing the first of the reports, said the pandemic had forced the use of reserves to balance the council’s books.
In addition, government grants had helped but he warned of tougher times ahead saying: “However, as these are one-off funding sources, it is vital the council starts to look at savings proposals to fund the shortfall in future years.”
Speaking to a second report on the authority’s corporate plan for finances up to 2025, he praised the work of council staff during the pandemic, saying: “We must now ensure our strategic framework reflects the massive changes over the last year and reset our priorities accordingly.”
The reports were passed unanimously after cabinet members at the meeting declined to ask any questions.
Councillor Maria Crompton, deputy leader of the council, took the opportunity to support Councillor Ali’s the work of staff, community groups and the NHS, saying: “Without everyone working together we won’t be able to achieve what we are doing and that is helping the people of Sandwell as best as we can.”
Both documents will now go to scrutiny committees for detailed consideration before final approval at a meeting of all councillors on March 2.
