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 ÂŁ1.17 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 ÂŁ36 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 ÂŁ12m this year.
More funding for adults and children
More than ÂŁ40m of extra funding for adults' and children's services was also confirmed last night.
It includes an extra ÂŁ13.3m for adult social care next year, which will rise to ÂŁ21.8m in the following year, and up to ÂŁ29.2m in year three.
Children's services will receive an extra ÂŁ7.8m for the next 12 months, increasing to ÂŁ10.5m the year after, and ÂŁ12.4m 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."