Low Council Tax Increase Welcomed

10.37.43pm GMT Tue 26th Feb 2008

Liberal Democrats in Birmingham have welcomed a below inflation increase in Council Tax, after years of record increases by the previous Labour administration. Lib Dem councillors supported a 1.9% increase and greater investment in frontline services at the Council Budget meeting on Tuesday 26 February 2008.

Council Group Leader Paul Tilsley said: "Of all the core cities we will see the lowest increase for the third year running. This is great news for Birmingham."

The 2008/09 Budget includes £32 million of new investment in frontline services, including:

• around £7 million to improve services like recycling and highway maintenance;

• an additional £2 million for local communities to meet local priorities and offset the abolition by the Labour Government of the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund;

• £11 million for Adult Services for a range of projects including help for people with learning disabilities and vulnerable older people;

• £5 million for children looked after by the Council; and

• £1 million for the Homelessness Service and related issues.

Other key elements of the Budget include:

• further investment of £248m over three years to achieve the Decent Homes Standard before 2010 and to improve Council tenants' kitchens and bathrooms;

• £753m for Birmingham schools through the Dedicated Schools Grant; and

• the start of the Building Schools for the Future programme in January 2009.