Inflation-busting council tax rise as residents see services chopped

COUNCIL tax in Birmingham is set to soar by almost five per cent next year, adding almost £70 a year to the bill for an average family home.

The inflation-busting increase will add to £71.90 to a Band D property in the city. The current annual bill is £1,438. The rise, far more than the 3.1 per cent inflation rate revealed on Tuesday, is the most allowed without a referendum.

The council’s 2018/19 budget also included a £54 million cuts package – including £14 million of new savings. The fresh cuts will mainly fall on social care services, which will see £3.5 million cut.

But taxpayers can also expect to pay more for funeral and wedding services, using some car parks and to reserve books, CDs and DVDs from community libraries.

The school nurse service is also set for the chop as many services such as vaccinations and mental health support are now provided by the NHS.

The planning department will suffer a 20 per cent cut in budget.

And the expected closure and sale of Newtown Community Centre will save £120,000.

Adding to the misery, £40 million of cuts agreed in previous years will come into force from next April.

They include the closure of day nurseries and children’s centres.

Council leader Ian Ward said: “We are having to make difficult decisions, as we have every year since 2010.

“Austerity has taken its toll on the people of Birmingham.”

By 2021, Birmingham’s total cuts will rise to £111 million.

But there are major questions over unspecified efficiencies and commercialisation, making money from selling services and increasing charges, which are expected to deliver £6.5 million savings next year.

Opposition councillors accused the ruling Labour leadership of postponing cuts until after the May 2018 local elections.