Council tax set to rise to fund West Midlands Mayor's transport plans
Council tax is set to rise by an extra £12 to pay for the running of the West Midlands Mayor's office and infrastructure investment.
Andy Street says the additional precept represents 'excellent value for money' and will ensure his plans to revolutionise transport across the region can proceed.
It comes just weeks after David Jamieson, the region's police and crime commissioner (PCC), unveiled plans for a £12 increase to the force's council tax precept – meaning residents face an extra £24 added to their annual bills from April.
West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) board papers released today propose the take up of a mayoral precept equating to £12-per-year for Band D properties.
A total of £2 of it will go towards administration costs and running Mr Street's office, with £10 paying for capital expenditure on congestion-busting investments.
These include projects around cycling and park-and-ride, as well as a new rapid bus scheme.
Conservative Mr Street, who was elected as the region's first Metro Mayor last year, described the figure as 'a relatively small amount' and said it was vital for the region's economic prosperity.
He told the Express & Star: "I think this is the right thing to do.
"We have said we are going to invest in our transport and bust congestion. We have to actually have the capital investment available to do that.
"The cost per household, is tiny frankly, and comes to around 22p per household per week.
"We can't have it both ways. We can't say we want to think big and achieve economic success, tackle the issues that come with that.
"People can see the growth that is coming. They can also see the congestion that comes with that. We have got to invest to tackle those issues."
Mr Street defended his record since becoming Mayor and said the successes in terms of investment from central government and the number of schemes up and running were 'there for all to see'.
"I would also say that we have done exactly what we said we would do in terms of bringing in more money from government," he said.
"This very modest sum is tiny when compared to what we have brought in through the devolution deals.
"We have at least 20 substantial capital schemes up and running around transport and we cannot talk the game unless we are prepared to amass the cash to see them through."
The proposal is set to be given the green light by the WMCA next week. It will come into effect from April this year.
A consultation is currently underway regarding the region's policing precept, after West Midlands PCC David Jamieson called for a £12-a-year spike to help offset budget cuts.
The roles of PCC and Mayor will merge in 2020.
