COUNCIL tax will rise by 2.9 per cent in Solihull from April, as expected.
Conservative council chiefs have set a budget for 2019/20 of £147million which will inject funding into social care, children’s services and public health.
There will be a rise of 1.9 per cent in core council tax and a further 1 per cent for adult social care – an increase of £38.27 on last year for a Band D taxpayer.
Council leader Bob Sleigh said he was delighted to deliver the budget with a lower council tax rise than neighbouring authorities.
He said weekly bin collections will continue and the free green garden waste collection will also remain.
Libraries and Tudor Grange swimming pool will also receive extra funding, he says.
But Opposition Green Party councillors claim the budget overlooks the burning issue of inequality in the borough and sealed the approval of a damaging cut in free parking in Shirley.
The council also approved a financial plan up to 2022 designed to ensure that council priorities continue to be met against anticipated continual financial constraints – a 13 per cent funding gap anticipated in the next few years.
Leader of the council Bob Sleigh said: “With regards to setting the council tax, there is a balance to be struck between the potential impact of a higher increase on council tax payers and of a lower increase on the services we deliver to residents.
“I am pleased that my fellow councillors have agreed the council tax rate and strategic three-year budgeting approach. It means we can continue to improve the lives of residents and carry on delivering great services. We are committed to make the best use of our resources by aligning them to the needs of Solihull people.”
Green Party leader Councillor James Burn says Solihull is one of the most unequal in the country.
He said: “The reality, given the dire funding situation all councils are facing, is that the only realistic medium-term financial strategy is to join with other councils and call on the government to provide sustainable and fair funding to councils.
“Despite the Conservative chair of the Local Government Association and even Conservative mayor Andy Street telling government these cuts have to stop, our own Conservative-run council refuse to criticise these cuts or to call for sustainable funding.”
He also called for a carbon budget to reduce emissions within agreed levels despite recent dire projections on climate change.
