Sandwell Council approves 2.99 per cent council tax rise
Sandwell Council has increased council tax by 2.99 per cent for the next financial year.
The tax rise will apply from April 1.
The local authority says is the lowest increase in the West Midlands.
It will see 1.99 per cent of the rise fund local services, while the other one per cent will pay for adult social care.
Most residents in the borough will end up paying an extra 77p to 89p per week from April 1.
Councillor Wasim Ali, cabinet member for core council services, said the local authority's latest budget - which was agreed at a full council meeting on March 2 – acknowledged the impact of Covid-19 on the local community.
He said: "The budget for the coming year again protects frontline services but also recognises the massive impact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on our residents and businesses.
"In order to do this we are proposing an increase in council tax of 1.99 per cent and an extra one per cent for adult social care services.
"This is lower than the 4.99 per cent allowed by Government which has been adopted by neighbouring authorities, making the rise the lowest in the West Midlands and the minimum we believe is necessary to protect frontline services.
"We’re also one of very few councils nationally whose council tax reduction scheme provides 100 per cent support to our lowest income residents."
