4% council tax hike approved for Walsall
Council tax bills will rise by four per cent after bosses approved their budget for the next year.
Walsall Council’s cabinet approved its budget for the 2019/20 financial year on Wednesday night.
The authority’s part of council tax will rise by 3.99 per cent, which will see annual bills for people living in Band D properties rise from the current £1,648.71 to £1,714.49 – or £1.27 per week.
Council leader Mike Bird said that the weekly increase for people living in Band A properties – which a large number of Walsall residents live in – would be 84p per week.
He said: “Many people think our finances come from council tax but the reality is only 19 per cent does. The rest comes from Government grants.
“I know we say this often but this year’s budget has been, without doubt, the most difficult budget that we have set."
Councillor Bird said amongst the revenue investment they would be making included £6.1 million for adult social care, £3 million for children’s services and just over £4 million for pay and related costs.
