Lib Dems welcome another below inflation Council Tax increase

10.23.00pm GMT Tue 24th Feb 2009

Councillor Paul Tilsley and the Liberal Democrats have welcomed a below inflation council tax increase for the fifth year in a row.

Birmingham City Council agreed its budget for 2009/10 earlier this evening. Lib Dem Council Group Leader Paul Tilsley today said how delighted he was to help deliver a below inflation council tax increase of 1.9% for the fifth year running.

Councillor Tilsley (Sheldon Ward) also talked about what the Council could do to help during the recession. The Council is working with partners to help local businesses, saving them £3.5 million by encouraging those who qualify to take up the 50% small business rate relief and supporting a Credit Crunch Hotline for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Over the last few years Birmingham City Council has also:

• rolled out recycling collections across Birmingham, to help achieve a recycling rate of about 30% in 2008/09;

• invested in and improved in street cleaning;

• introduced an apprentice programme aimed at young people; and

• invested additional money in Social Services, including investment in home support and day care.