Walsall residents could see council tax raised by almost five per cent

Walsall Council bosses have set out its first draft budget for the forthcoming 2024/25 council year, which is going out to public consultation.

As part of the draft, it is being proposed to a general council tax increase of 2.99 per cent along with an additional two per cent ring fenced for the adult social care service.

At present, the council is also looking at an overspend of more than £18 million, with action being proposed to address that in order for a balanced budget to be set for 2024/25 as legally required.

Leader Mike Bird said the cost of living crisis as well as increased pressures in statutory services such as children and adult social care were the main reasons for the gap.

But he added "mitigation actions" have been identified which, if implemented would reduce the gap by more than £14m.

He also said the picture in Walsall wasn’t entirely gloomy as they remained committed to spending more than £330m on capital projects over the coming years.

At a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Councillor Bird said: “Despite the history of sound financial management and planning, the financial situation still remains challenging.

“The 24/25 draft budget assumes a 2.99 per cent general council tax increase and two per cent precept for adult social care.

“You may recall we forewent that last year purely simply because we felt we needed to assist our people on the cost of living.

“Obviously now with the increase in adult social care pressures, that will now not be available to us to be as lenient and to take that two per cent which is around £2.1m.

“We should be lobbying ministers to say, ‘look the problem hasn’t gone away, this is a national problem of funding local government’.

“We have to now look at every service that every department produces – do we need to do that or can we do it more efficiently?"

Councillor Bird went on to explain some examples of the council's £334m investment into the capital programme.

He added: "In schools we’re funding £81m, in highways maintenance and lighting – £36m, health and safety and leisure related items take £5m, waste initiatives have £24m, enterprise zones – £1m, High Street Funds – £31m, Town Deals – £33m and in the Willenhall master plan, £23m.

“Other regeneration schemes take £9m, council buildings and infrastructure – £7m, disability facilities grants a further £19m, IT infrastructure – £10m and funding for development opportunities – £55m, subject to business case approval.

“I could go on so I think what we have to say to the residents out there is it isn’t all gloom and doom.

“Even in financial challenging situations, we are continuing to invest in our services and in our residents.”

People can see the proposals and take part in the consultation at go.walsall.gov.uk/your-council/consultations/budget-consultation.