RESIDENTS in Halesowen and Sandwell are facing a hike in council tax following the announcement of the local authorities’ budget plans.

It is set to rise by 4.49 per cent in Dudley borough, while Sandwell will put theirs up by nearly five per cent this year, with another 3.99 per cent addition already in line for the next.

Dudley Council is planning to match the Government’s base rate increase of 2.99 per cent, which was increased from 1.99 per cent in late 2017, before charging households a further 1.5 per cent adult social care precept.

Councillor Steve Clark, Dudley’s cabinet member for finance, said: “No council wants to increase council tax, but this small increase is the right thing to do for our residents.

“Every per cent we increase council tax by, is an extra £1million into public services at relatively little weekly cost to the individual, but our residents still pay one of the lowest rates of council tax in the country and we have the lowest council tax in the West Midlands.”

The increase will mean the majority of the borough’s households (Band B) will pay 82p more per week, while for Band D properties it is an extra £1.05.

Cllr Nicolas Barlow, Dudley’s cabinet member for adult social care, added: “Services for older people continue to be one of the most challenging areas of the council which is why this precept, ring-fenced specifically to services for older people, on top of the flat rate of council tax is so important.”

Council bosses will discuss the plans at cabinet today (Thursday, February 8), before the budget is decided at a full council meeting on February 19.

In Sandwell, council chiefs are planning to match the Government’s base rate raise of 2.99 per cent, alongside a two per cent increase in the adult social care precept.

A report which was due to go before the cabinet yesterday (Wednesday) said the council – which had frozen council tax for six years prior to 2016 – is also planning to increase tax by 2.99 per cent in 2019-20, as well as add a further one per cent for adult social care.

The budget will be heard at the full Sandwell Council meeting in March and, if agreed on, will go into effect from April.