Have your say on Cabinet’s budget proposals
News release issued:
Tackling littering, environmental offences and illegal parking are among the budget proposals Wyre Forest Council’s Cabinet agreed at its meeting last night (Wednesday 18 December). They are also proposing to install more inclusive play equipment in parks across the district. The proposals are being considered as part of the council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy. They are actions it is suggesting to help the council deliver its corporate plan.
The Cabinet now wants the public’s view on its plans before final budget proposals are drawn up. This is to make sure any decision to increase expenditure helps to meet Council priorities and is supported by residents and businesses.
The budget proposals include a rise in the District Council’s share of the Council Tax by 3%. At Band D this represents an additional £7.29 for the year or 14p a week. The majority of householders in the district will pay less than this because almost three quarters of homes in Wyre Forest are in Bands A to C.
In February this year, the Council estimated it would have a £2.14 million funding gap at the end of 2026-27. It is now predicted this will be about £2.203 million in 2027-28. Based on current levels of expenditure it is expected the Council reserves will runout in 2027-28.
Councillor David Ross, Wyre Forest District Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance and Capital Portfolio said:
“We are asking residents to spend a few minutes completing our online survey to let us know what they think about the proposals we’re putting forward. We’ve designed them to help us deliver on our corporate plan but also with our financial situation in mind. As a council, we must set a balanced budget. We are finding efficiencies as well as increasing the income targets for our commercial services to help us achieve this.”
A short survey to gather feedback on the Cabinet’s key proposals is now live on the council’s website. Residents can visit the budget survey webpage to take part.
The survey closes at 5pm on Thursday 16 January 2025
Full details of the proposals, including the costings, can be found in Medium Term Financial Strategy report in the Cabinet agenda by visiting the council’s meeting webpages
The final proposals will go to Full Council at the annual budget setting meeting in February.