Borough residents look set to continue paying the lowest council tax rates in the Black Country after Dudley Council proposed an increase of just 1.5 per cent.

A report to the council’s cabinet next Wednesday (February 10) will propose the council tax rise which will equate to most households paying an increase of less than 30p per week.

If the cabinet approves the proposals a Band ‘D’ property in Dudley would see an increase in its annual council tax bill from £1108.65 to £1125.39 (before precepts). It is believed that this will mean Dudley’s council tax will still be the lowest in the area.

Councillor Anne Millward, leader of the council said:

“We are proposing major savings of around £34 million over the next three years in order to free-up resources to meet spending pressures largely on older people, looked after children and environmental services and to keep council tax levels low.

“We would like to have done more at this very difficult time for Dudley residents, but have to balance what people can afford to pay with growing demands on our key services.”

Councillor David Blood, cabinet member for finance said:

“This has been a difficult budget, we recognise the problems created for Dudley residents by the recession, but we have to make plans in the likelihood that public spending may be cut in the near future whilst protecting the most vulnerable in our community.

“I believe the council tax increase proposed is the best we can do given the pressures we face and the need to ensure we have a sound budget position going forward.”

Chris Kelly, Prospective Conservative MP for Dudley South said:

“I warmly congratulate my Conservative colleagues on the Council on keeping council tax rates in Dudley the lowest in the Black Country, lower than in the Wolverhampton, Sandwell and Walsall Metropolitan Boroughs. In tough economic times this is the right approach to be taking to help hard working local families keep bills down.”

4th February 2010