200 jobs to go as Dudley Council seeks to balance the books

The council has outlined cuts totalling £261.77 million pounds over the next five years, while council tax is expected to rise by 27 per cent over the same period - adding an extra £523.11 a year to the bill of an average band D household. This is not binding, and will still be subject to review each year.

Adult social care will bear the biggest brunt of the cuts, with savings of £48.4 million proposed over the next five years.

If the plans are approved, an average band D house will see council tax rise from the present rate of £1,937.46 a year to £2,038.57 from April this year, rising to £2,460.57 by 2029..

Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Council, said the Budget - which will go before the cabinet for approval on Wednesday - will put the authority on a secure long-term footing following concerns it could have followed Birmingham in being declared insolvent.

He said the budget would generate a £5 million yearly surplus over that time, allowing the authority to replenish its depleted reserves.

It would also secure the future of all the borough's town halls, libraries and leisure centres.

“Like so many authorities across the country we have faced unprecedented challenges to our finances but have had to make some very tough decisions to balance the books," he said.

"But rather than just plan for one year, we want to ensure the council remains sustainable for the next five years. There will not be many councils throughout the UK that can achieve this in the current climate.

“We have moved away from the threat of bankruptcy by making difficult decisions now, which is improving our position for the long term."

The budget is based on the assumption that council tax will rise by 4.99 per cent every year for the next four years - the maximum allowed without calling a referendum.

The council has identified cuts of £41.7 million in the year beginning April, followed by £50.5 for the year after that, £57.5 in 2027/28, £56 million in 2028/29 and the same amount in 2029/30.

The permanent closure of the Lye Community Project, which operated a drop-in centre for people needing help and advice prior to the coronavirus lockdown, will save the authority £108,000 a year, said the draft budget.

Cuts to children's services will save the council £18.6 million over the next five years, with cuts to the number of youth workers saving the authority £410,000 a year, and cuts to youth justice posts saving £90,000 a year.

The sale of the Lower Gornal youth centre will save the council £40,000 a year, while the disposal of Netherton Arts Centre will cut £20,000 a year from the children's budget.

The council expects to bring in an extra £310,000 a year from charges for green waste collection, and to save £120,000 a year closing its pop-up tip service.

Dudley Dementia Hub will close, saving the council £500,000 a year, while the Living Well, Feeling Safe service for the elderly and vulnerable will come to an end, saving £82,000.

The lease on Sedgley library will come to an end, saving £390,000 a year.

Swimming sessions for children under the age of five will rise by 25 per cent from April, while the cost of adult swimming will be up by 15.4 per cent.

Councillor Harley said the council was answering criticism from the Local Government Peer Review and Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.

"We can not only set a legal budget, but one which adds to reserves, not just for one year but for the next five.

"We are committed to delivering essential high-quality services our residents can rely on, as well as protecting services we know are important to people, such as libraries, leisure centres, halls, and family hubs.

"The number of libraries, town halls and leisure centres that could close throughout English councils is large.

"Thankfully, thanks to the decisions taken, all our libraries, family hubs, leisure centres and town halls are safe.”

The proposals are still subject to consultation, and will go before the council later in the month.