Telford residents facing average 5.13% tax rise

Council tax bills will rise by an average of 5.13% across the Telford and Wrekin area from April.

Telford and Wrekin Council has agreed to increase its portion of the tax bill collected from residents by the maximum allowed hike of 4.99%, with sums then applied for police, the fire service and various town and parish councils, meaning overall totals may vary by postcode.

The authority's budget plans include a commitment to spend £150m on supporting vulnerable children, people with disabilities and older adults.

Among other spending proposals, due to be voted on next Thursday, is the possibility of capping all bus fares at £2.

The majority of properties in the borough fall in tax bands A or B and the lowest total band B bill across the 29 parishes and towns within the area is in Eyton on the Weald Moors.

Band B residents living in that parish would under the plans pay £1,640.89 a year from April.

In contrast, the highest bills would be in the Great Dawley Town Council area, where a Band B property would owe £1,928.17 a year.

The council's move to introduce a flat £2 single bus fare would bring all bus services in line with those run by the local authority.

Currently, 76% are run by other providers and the council said: "Extending this offer borough-wide would support more people to make regular journeys confidently and affordably."

Money is set to be set aside in the budget to investigate this possibility, which would have to be agreed with other operators.

Neighbouring Shropshire Council has been given special permission to increase tax bills by up to 8.99% before the precepts for police, fire and town and parish councils are added.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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