Dudley Council has approved a rent increase and reduced tax support for working-age residents, aiming for significant budget savings.
Labour’s Cllr Caroline Reid expressed concern during the meeting. She said reducing support from 70% to 40% is devastating for many residents. People are already struggling with rising living costs, and this will only make things worse.
A report showed that about 16.9% of the 142,000 properties in Dudley receive council tax reduction. The proposed changes could worsen the situation for around 13,000 cases. This might lead to more unpaid council tax and increased debt.
Despite these warnings, Cllr Steve Clark, the cabinet member for finance, defended the cuts. He stated that without these savings, they would need to find an additional £4.2 million in the budget. He acknowledged the impact but emphasized the need to balance the budget.
The council approved the cuts with 33 votes in favor and 26 against. They also discussed a proposed 2.7% rent increase, adding £2.60 per week to average rents, bringing it to £99.08.
Cllr Ian Bevan, the cabinet member for housing, recognized the impact on tenants. He said these decisions were tough but necessary for safe and efficient housing services.
In contrast, Cllr Jackie Cowell criticized the council’s effectiveness in providing basic services. She called for cuts in service charges for council tenants, suggesting they could be funded by better-than-expected reserves.
Ultimately, councillors approved the rent increase by a vote of 38 to 26.
