Council tax to increase by 2.99 per cent in Dudley
Council tax in Dudley is going up by 2.99 per cent this year after the borough's new budget was approved.
The tax rise was voted through at a full council meeting on Monday.
Similar increases are being implemented across the region, apart from in Sandwell where tax is increasing by the maximum 4.99 per cent.
Revenue Budget Strategy and Setting the Council Tax 2022/23 was the main focus of Monday's meeting, following on from consultations with residents and a cabinet meeting in December to discuss the budget proposals.
It was decided to increase council tax by 2.99 per cent, meaning people living in Band D houses will pay a total of £1493.87 each year. The rise includes 1.99 per cent for basic tax and one per cent for social care.
The report read: "The Local Government Finance Settlement included Council Tax referendum principles for 2022/23 of a core limit of less than 2 per cent plus an Adult Social Care (ASC) precept limit of 1 per cent.
"Forecasts in this report are based on a 2.99 per cent Council Tax increase in 2022/23 and assume the same in later years."
Budgets for different areas of council spending were also agreed in the report, including £111.9 million for adult social care, £80.1m for children's services, £9.9m for corporate and treasury and £11.5m for regeneration and enterprise.
The final budget was criticised by the opposition Labour Group who accused the council of robbing the people of Dudley of £11m investment in frontline services.
Dudley Labour finance spokesperson Councillor Shaukat Ali put forward an amendment to the budget which he claimed the Conservative Councillors had voted unanimously against the amendment in favour of investing more money in policy officers, web designers and back-office administration.
He said ''This fully-costed budget from the Labour Party identified more money for a community support officer in each ward to help tackle crime and antisocial behaviour and further money to support people with long Covid.
"It also pledged additional money to help support families who need additional support to return home after a hospital stay'.
"However, the Tories have rejected these proposals, turned their backs on residents and instead have opted for a budget that serves only themselves.
"This Conservative council is spending £15m a year on temporary agency and consultancy staff whilst vital services are being cut and it is local residents who will lose out "
