Dudley council tax 'to rise' in bid to boost strapped social care budgets

Bosses have announced controversial plans to increase council tax by the maximum amount without triggering a referendum, taking advantage of a Government decision relax laws on tax hikes.

Councils had previously only been allowed to increase the amount by four per cent a year but can now go further in order to fund social care.

Three per cent will go towards social care and two per cent on funding other services.

The 4.99 per cent increase would mean the average household paying £1.12 extra each week from April.

The Labour-controlled council insisted the increase is necessary due to its dire financial state which has left it needing to save £26 million over the next three years.

Dudley Council's finance boss Councillor David Sparks said: "Any proposed increases in council tax are never taken lightly but we continue to find ourselves in unprecedented times of financial pressure as a result of reduced funding from national Government.

"I should also stress that if this is approved we will still be the lowest council tax rate in the Black Country and one of the lowest in the country, which means people in this borough continue to get sound financial planning and continued services for people who need them most despite the extreme financial pressures."

The proposals are currently out to consultation in the Big Question. People have until February 10 to have their say via www.dudley.gov.uk