Dudley Council approves 4.99 per cent council tax rise, return of free parking and pop-up tips after Tory deal with Lib Dems

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The increase will take the council tax to £2,145 for an average band D property. 

The council tax is also expected to rise by the same amount for the next five years under a budget approved by the council tonight (February 23).

Two hours' free parking in town centre car parks and pop-up tips in Sedgley and Netherton would be restored as part of the budget, which was passed with the support of the Liberal Democrat group after Councillor Harley agreed to a Liberal Democrat amendment outlining 19 specific areas for attention - 10 of them in the two wards held by Liberal Democrats. 

The Liberal Democrat amendment also proposes council-tax exemption for patients receiving end-of-life care, and a 25 per cent reduction for armed forces veterans.

Councillor Pete Lowe, leader of the Black Country Party, a group which broke away from the Labour Party last year, said the deal 'made a farce of democracy', and would potentially lead to every ward councillor tabling amendments for the benefit of their own wards. 

Councillor Harley admitted he would not have otherwise supported the amendment, but had little choice given that the Liberal Democrats held the balance of power.

Councillor Ryan Priest, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, made no apology for putting the wards it represented first.

Cabinet member for finance Councillor Steve Clarke said the council had managed to avoid making any cuts to services, but had found £3.5 million in efficiency savings.

Councillor Harley said the council wanted to peg the council tax rise to three per cent, but was unable to after the Government gave the borough a less favourable financial settlement than neighbouring Wolverhampton, Walsall or Sandwell Councils.

An amendment tabled by Labour finance spokesman Councillor Shaukat Ali calling for the appointment of 10 community protection officers to tackle anti-social behaviour and a further 10 youth workers was defeated.

Labour also called for a 10 per cent cut to the council's £28.20-a-month Telecare service, which provides in-home alarms for the elderly and vulnerable, and the appointment of an extra pothole and roads inspector. 

Councillor Adam Aston, leader of the Labour group, also proposed setting aside £100,000 a year to appoint a 'pothole czar', and to increase the number of grit bins across the borough. He said that 'deep and dangerous' potholes should be repaired within seven working days.

He also called for free parking for members of council-run leisure centres.

Councillor Aston said this could be funded by reducing the money set aside by reserves. However, the council's interim financial officer warned that this would put the council's finances at risk.

Councillor Ali's amendment also supported the Liberal Democrat call for a 100 per cent council tax reduction for the terminally ill, and 25 per cent for armed forces veterans.

"Our amendment is fully costed and invests in people, not problems," he said.

Councillor Phil Atkins, a Conservative, said Labour's plans would add £8.5 million to the council budget.

"The Labour group knew that the financial officer could not support this amendment, but in their own arrogance and incompetence they decided they would do it anyway," he said.

The Labour amendment was supported by the Black Country Party, although Councillor Lowe said he noted the financial officer's concerns.

He acknowledged the disappointing settlement from central government, but said the Conservatives had done little to lobby government over the previous eight years. 

Councillor Steve Edwards of the Black Country Party said the Labour amendment would still leave the council with reserves of £55 million.

"I think we sometimes forget that the whole point of reserves is that the money is for a rainy day, and it is pouring down outside now."

Councillor Shaun Keasey, leader of the Reform group, said he supported the principles of the amendment, but could not support putting the council's finances at risk.

"I have never in my 56 years seen Dudley in such an unkempt state," he said.

He welcomed the return of free parking, but said this was merely rectifying the previous mistake of ending it.