Wolverhampton council tax rise is lowest across the Black Country

The 3.99 per cent increase means the city council is the only one not proposing the maximum increase allowed of five per cent.

Neighbouring cash-strapped authorities in Walsall, Dudley and Sandwell are all putting council tax up by 4.99 per cent.

Wolverhampton council is to finalise its budget proposals following a consultation, which saw 2,600 people in the city have their say.

The increase means those living in Band D band properties will pay an additional £1.21 a week.

The council's cabinet, which is to meet next week, is expected to agree to set a balanced budget without the need to use contingency reserves for the third year running.

Bosses say they intend to put additional money, including two per cent from council tax, into adult social care and children's services.

During the three-month consultation held between October last year and January 2017, the public were largely supportive of proposals to raise £13.5 million to help balance the books.

Household waste and recycling services will be hardest hit with £2.4m of savings in 2017/18 and residents have largely supported plans for fortnightly bin collections.

Councillor Andrew Johnson, cabinet member for resources, said: "Some councils will be raising council tax by almost five per cent, but we will be recommending a lower increase in Wolverhampton of 3.99 per cent which includes the government's two per cent levy to fund adult social care."

Councillor Roger Lawrence, leader of the council, said: "Things remain very challenging, but we are undoubtedly in a better position than other councils due to the early action we took to plan over the medium term and avoid knee-jerk decisions." The draft budget will go before full council on March 1.