Council tax in Dudley set to rise next month as part of plans to save money
Council tax in Dudley is set to go up by 4.99% from April after the local authority signed off plans to save money.
The rise, from 1 April, equates to £1.17 per week for a typical Band B property.
The plans, which were confirmed at a council meeting last night, were put in place so councillors may attempt to balance the books against the threat of bankruptcy.
They predict their reserves to run dry within the next two years.
Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Council, said: "This increase is essential if we are to get this authority back on an even footing financially. We are taking a firmer grip on our own finances and have worked hard to set a sustainable budget whilst protecting essential services."
Other measures that were signed off include introducing a charge to garden waste collection services. This will be a charge of £36 per year for fortnightly collections.
Locals can choose not to opt into this scheme but will not have their garden waste collected.
These measures are to offset estimated budget pressures of more than £12m this year.
More funding for adults and children
More than £40m of extra funding for adults' and children's services was also confirmed last night.
It includes an extra £13.3m for adult social care next year, which will rise to £21.8m in the following year, and up to £29.2m in year three.
Children's services will receive an extra £7.8m for the next 12 months, increasing to £10.5m the year after, and £12.4m in the following year.
Councillor Matt Rogers, cabinet member for adult social care, said: "The rising cost of providing services for older people is putting a big strain on council services. These are vital services so we have to meet that strain head-on by providing extra money.
"We are taking a firmer grip on our finances to ensure there are adult social care services for people of this borough."
Councillor Ruth Buttery, cabinet member for children’s services, added: "As a child-friendly borough, we are putting children first when looking at funding and the borough’s future.
"Children and families depend on these services and we need to meet that demand with appropriate levels of funding. We have already invested in early prevention services to stop people going into crisis and we need to build on the early successes from that investment."