Walsall Council tax increase cut
09 Jan 10 01:02 Filed in: News | News-Walsall
Council tax increase cut
The YamYam 9 Jan 10
Walsall Council's proposed 4.5% increase in council tax has been reduced to 4.26% just days before cabinet meet to ratify an austerity budget. However, the increase for Walsall householders is still well above the current rate of inflation which stands at 1.9% with interest rates remaining unchanged.
Neighbouring local authorities have proposed smaller increases. South Staffordshire has set 3%, Dudley 2% and Wolverhampton no increase at all. This leaves Walsall residents with the highest council tax rate in the region.
Needing to save £11.2million this year, the draft budget proposes massive cuts in social care, the closure of Willenhall Leisure Centre and a reduction in council services brought about by the disappearance of 79 council jobs through the “deletion” of vacant posts. However, the council have managed to allocate £1million for improvements to offices in at the Civic Centre, audio visual equipment at the Council House and an undisclosed sum for the refurbishment of the Conservative ruling group accommodation.
The 0.24% reduction in council tax increase is the result of the council collecting more tax than expected. The rest of the draft budget proposals remain unchanged.
The YamYam 30 Nov Walsall councillors scrutinise budget
YamYam 27 Nov Government may cap council tax rise
Walsall Council Cabinet report 18 Nov Draft Corporate Revenue Budget for consultation Consultation PDF
The Plastic Hippo 17 Nov Comment: water cooler politics
Walsall Advertiser 17 Nov Winnick: “Tory cabinet has vendetta against Willenhall”
BrownhillsBob 19 Sep Comment: And so it begins
YamYam 19 Sep Walsall leisure centres under threat
YamYam links 15 Sep Walsall Council spend despite cuts
YamYam links 9 Sep Cash crisis at Walsall Council
The Plastic Hippo 13 Sep Be careful with that axe, Eugene
Mercury 13 Sep Public spending cuts 'will increase unemployment'
Express & Star 9 Sep Cash crisis at Walsall Council
YamYam 29 Aug Walsall Council care budget slashed