Dear resident,
Like so many authorities across the country we have faced unprecedented challenges to our finances, which means we are having to make tough decisions to balance the books.
So it’s important we are working to ensure a sustainable future, and therefore with this year’s budget, rather than just plan for one year, we have put in place measures for the next five years. There will not be many councils throughout the UK which can achieve this in the current climate.
Answering criticism from The Local Government Peer Review and CIPFA reports we have not only set a legal budget, but one which adds to reserves this year and for the next five years.
Throughout these difficult times we remain 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.
We are making radical changes at pace to our organisation to create an improved, lean, financially sustainable and efficient council to ensure we are well placed to face the current and any future challenges
And while in the last year we have moved away from section 114 territory, we continue to experience the rising costs of delivering services. In adult social care alone, we are forecasting £9.7million worth of pressures.
One way we are raising money is by increasing our council tax rate by 4.99 per cent for the coming year. That’s around £1.23* increase per week for a typical band B property, which is less than the average cost of a loaf of bread. This figure includes a 2 per cent adult social care precept, which will not only contribute towards funding these additional costs but will help to ensure sustainability of the care sector over the next 12 months and into the future.
Despite this increase, Dudley residents will continue to have among the lowest council tax bills in the country.
To help those most in need we are putting money back into the budget, with £1million added into the existing Discretionary Council Tax Relief Scheme, which supports residents who are facing extreme financial difficulties with their Council Tax payments.
A further £200,000 will be put into the Discretionary Housing Payments Scheme for people who are in receipt of either Housing Benefit or the Universal Credit Rent Element with additional help with their rent payments.
We know there will continue to be challenges ahead, but with our five-year plan we have a future that encourages the annual growth of our reserves and protects services for our residents.
Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Council
*The £1.23 figure is from the Dudley Council element. The rise is £1.51 per week when including the police and fire precept.
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