Council tax hike is agreed

The authority’s cabinet agreed its Corporate Budget Plan 2024-25 to 2027-28 at a meeting on Wednesday (February 7).

From April, people living in the borough will see the council bit of their tax bills go up by 4.99 per cent which includes two per cent ring-fenced to help cover rising adult social care costs.

Some services will also be cut including the rubbish tips closing for a day and the dimming of street lights to help deliver savings.

Despite the challenges, leader Mike Bird said the authority has been able to deliver a legally required balanced budget and confirmed the council will still invest millions in services.

But he warned unless Government funding improves they will struggle to deliver a balanced budget the following year.

Among the cuts earmarked are:

*Closure of Fryers Road and Merchants Way Household Waste Recycling Centres for one day to save £150,000

*Street lighting dimming and trimming during the evening to save £160,000

*Cease provision of Christmas lights to £40,000

*Arts and Events income – to introduce new online shop sales and ticketing to bring in £15,000. Additional savings of £10,000 are earmarked in 2025/26, £25,000 in 2026/27 and £25,000 in 2027/28.

*Introduction of charges for change of name deeds to bring in £3,000

Just 29 people took part in the council’s budget consultation and the feedback showed there was support for the income generators but opposition to the savings.

Concerns about fly-tipping were raised by respondents regarding the closure of the waste recycling centres while the dimming of the lights raised fears about darker streets, crime and personal safety.

To balance the 2024/25 budget, the council have made savings of more than £20 million through changing the way they work including the use of technology, digitalisation, cutting costs and increasing income.

Council investments into services over the next four years includes £74 million for schools, £37 million in highways maintenance, £36 million each on the High Streets Fund and Towns Deal and £26 million by the Willenhall Masterplan.

Councillor Bird said: “Whilst the financial position of this and other councils has and continues to be challenging, I’m grateful to the finance team who have put their heads together to come forward with what is now a balanced budget for 24/25 subject to some mitigation.

“It does leave us with a problem for 25/26 where unless we get further government funding effectively, we will be struggling to balance the books.

“We are not in the position of some of our close neighbours are because we’ve had some sound financial management here for a number of years.

“All of our vulnerable services, both adults and children’s social care, are fully funded and at no time has any child or adult been at risk and that will continue to be the case.

“The calls upon adult social care are increasing and we are now looking to talk to our providers.

“Councillor Keir Pedley (portfolio holder for adult social care) had a meeting with them last week and told them in no uncertain terms ‘we are looking at the quality of care they offer and it isn’t all about pound notes’.”