Cash for cleaner streets

Jan 9 2006 By Steve Johnson, Birmingham Mail

COUNCIL chiefs in Dudley have unveiled details of preliminary budget proposals for the next financial year.

There will be more cash for street cleaning and litter removal, measures to reduce traffic congestion and road maintenance, improvements for parks and money to continue work on economic regeneration, increasing prosperity and securing and creating local jobs.

More cash will also be set aside for children's services, schools and support for adults with learning difficulties and council leaders expect a council tax increase this year of around three per cent.

Leader of the council, Coun David Caunt, said: "We had over 1,300 responses to our budget consultation in the autumn and over half of the respondents thought the council tax increase for 2006-7 should be no more than inflation, even if that meant large spending reductions.

"With a careful mix of efficiency and other savings, we have produced a budget package which improves key services, particularly improving the environment and street scene, meets pressures in children's and adult services, and keeps the council tax increase as low as possible."

Cabinet member for finance, Coun Anne Millward, said: "This is another Conservative budget which delivers further improvements in priority services, meets funding pressures and results in another low council tax increase.

"We have worked hard to review our priorities and drive out further efficiency savings to produce a budget package that strikes the right balance between what needs to be spent on improving services, with what local people can afford. These proposals are good news for all Dudley residents."