Walsall’s council tax payers will wake up today to the knowledge that they face a 3.8% increase in what they pay for local services whilst at the same time seeing £13million slashed from the council’s budget. Walsall’s Council Tax still remains one of the highest in the West Midlands!

Commenting on the Tory budget, Liberal Democrat councillor Ian Shires (Willenhall North) said, “Walsall’s Tories ignored suggestions from Liberal Democrat councillors which would have protected the most vulnerable in our society. Those who have no control over what they get as income or their expenditure such as the elderly, those not yet in employment, and those hit by the credit crisis. Our amendment would not have increased the council tax by any more than the 3.8% put forward by the Tories, yet their minds were totally closed to any ideas but their own.”

Walsall Council under the Tories has been allowed to become top heavy. There are far too many chiefs and not enough foot soldiers in front line services. This imbalance starts right at the heart of the organisation, the ten member Tory Cabinet!

 The council is organised into five service areas, it has five Scrutiny Panels so why should  the Tories need a ten member cabinet?

The Liberal Democrat amendment would have led to a root and branch review of how the council is run. Savings made would have gone into keeping the council tax down to an acceptable level whilst at the same time improving front line services.