Council Tax rise – 50p a week
From Press Office on 03 March 2010
The average Council Tax in Solihull will rise by 50p a week.
The Council’s budget, agreed on Monday evening at Full Council, sees a 2.25% increase in council tax. This is lower than the rate of inflation, which is 3.5%.
The increase means that the cost for an average Band D property will rise by £25.78, totalling £1,173.72.
This excludes precepts set by the police and fire service, while those areas with parish councils will also pay a parish precept, none of which the Council has control over.
This year, the Council will receive a government grant of £54.6m – equating to £266 per person, the lowest of all metropolitan councils. This is less than half the average for other England councils - £561, with the average metropolitan authority receiving £521.
If Solihull received the same level of grant as other metropolitan authorities, the Council would have an extra £52m to spend on services.
The amount of money Solihull receives from government directly affects what services can be provided and what rates of Council Tax needs to be set. It also affects the amount of savings that need to be made.
This year, Solihull Council is looking to make over £12m savings, while continuing to provide high quality services for the public.
Media enquiries only - Angharad Lynch 0121 704 6164
Email: alynch@solihull.gov.uk