Wolverhampton's 4.99% council tax rise approved

City of Wolverhampton Council has approved plans to increase the amount residents pay in council tax by 4.99%.

Those living in an average Band D property will have to pay an extra £125 for the year, with the annual charge increasing from £2,414 to £2,539.

The approved increase incorporates 2% for adult social care, it was heard during a meeting to discuss the final budget report on Wednesday.

Councillor Louise Miles told cabinet members that the local authority still faced financial challenges but welcomed extra cash from a government settlement.

Announcing the approved council tax rise, Miles said: "We believe in setting responsible budgets that are sustainable over the medium term.

"The council still faces financial challenges and we have identified and begun to deliver £30m worth of savings."

During the meeting cheaper car parking, enhanced fly-tipping enforcement and a price freeze for garden waste collections were highlighted.

The council has pledged to spend £10m on resurfacing the city's roads between 2026 and 2027 and £50m over the next five years on highways maintenance.

The budget also makes way for £750,000 to be allocated to new neighbourhood teams and a three-year freeze on garden bin charges.

In the city centre, parking charges will be reduced to £3.50 all day and £2 in the evening.

To tackle fly-tipping £250,000 will go towards providing new staff and six roving cameras.

Miles told the meeting: "This is a budget for residents with the council delivering on residents' priorities. There is something for all our residents in this budget.

"This has been made possible by fair funding from the government for Wolverhampton for the first time in over 14 years."

"The aptly named recovery grant of £9.6m for Wolverhampton will in particular have a direct impact on our residents.

"The multi-year settlements introduced by the government also mean we can now plan with greater certainty over the next three years."

Council Leader Stephen Simkins said: "We will continue to invest in our city and town centres, making them great places to visit, and boosting the city's economy with hundreds of millions of pounds investment in new homes for local people, new jobs, attractions, learning opportunities and much more."

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