Council tax hike is rubber-stamped

PLANS to increase council tax by a fraction under four per cent were approved at Solihull Council's Budget meeting this week.
General council tax will rise by 1.99 per cent, while there will also be a two per cent hike specifically to help fund adult social care, an area where local authorities around the UK are facing particular pressure.
The combined increases will mean that a taxpayer in the average Band D property will pay Solihull Council £1,319.77 - around £50 more than at present.
The Budget meeting saw clashes between the Conservative administration and opposition groups about the details of financial plans for the 12 months ahead.
The ruling Tory group denied accusations by the Green and Lib Dem members that they were not doing enough to drive down inequality in the borough, with a number of passionate exchanges over the gap in living standards and specific cuts to services.
North Solihull was referenced on a number of occasions during Thursday night's debate. See our full report on what councillors from all sides of the chamber had to say in the next edition of Other Side of Solihull.