Dudley Council backs £42 million cuts and tax hike

The plans were backed by the Conservative-led authority with the support of the Liberal Democrats, after it agreed to amendments to retain two public toilets and hold a consultation on a town council for Cradley. 

The budget will see council tax increase by the maximum 4.99 per cent for each of the next five years, as well as 157 savings in services like youth clubs and support for elderly and vulnerable people as well as increases in charges and rents.

The plans were described as a 'budget of despair' by the opposition Labour group, whose alternative proposals were voted down.

The Conservative budget was backed after the party supported two amendments by the Unity Group, made up of three Liberal Democrats representing Cradley and Wollescote ward, and former Labour councillor Andrew Tromans who now sits as an independent.

The amendments will see two public toilet blocks kept open, cuts to the welfare rights team deferred by six months, and £75,000 made available for a feasibility study into a proposed town council for Cradley.

Councillor Steve Clark, cabinet member for finance, described the budget as an opportunity to 'snatch success from the jaws of failure'.

He said: “There are no planned budget shortfalls for the next five years, we must do some hard work and focus on delivering a budget within financial limits.

“A lot of these things are unavoidable, this council has a critical need to rebuild reserves.”

But his Labour shadow, Councillor Shaukat Ali, said: “This is a budget of despair, this budget will push many to the brink.

“How much more must our residents endure before this Conservative administration takes responsibility? This administration is making life harder.

“This budget is just about numbers but for our residents it will affect their lives in many painful ways.”

Labour’s amendment proposed reducing the cuts by £2.8 million, funded by putting less into reserves and scrapping proposed new senior officer jobs.

But the Conservatives said these new posts would save the council more than £20 million over the coming five years.

None of the amendments had the support of the council’s chief finance officer.

The feasibility study for the Cradley Town Council, which would see an extra tier of government created in the town, was proposed by Unity Group leader, Councillor Ryan Priest.

It was dismissed as 'mad' by the Labour group.

Councillor Priest told the meeting: “For decades Cradley has been spoken for not spoken to – unprecedented times call for an unprecedented response.

“I was elected to get things done, not complain about inaction.”

The council would not replace Dudley Council, but would have certain devolved powers which would partially be paid for through an extra council-tax levy on people living in the area.

Opposition Labour leader Councillor Pete Lowe blasted the Unity group for supporting the Conservative budget.

He said: “This is what happens when collaboration turns to capitulation, we have seen setting up a parish council is a higher priority than protecting and supporting youth provision or domestic abuse services.”

But Councillor Priest accused Labour of not taking part in budget discussions and added: “We have spent our municipal year fighting for our red lines and the result is a budget that keeps libraries and leisure centres open.”