Birmingham City Council Approves Tax Hike, Cuts to Key Services

Birmingham City Council has approved a council tax rise by 9.99 percent for the next financial year alongside a number of cuts to services provided by the local authority. The vote comes after the council announced its effective bankruptcy in September 2023. Appointment of commissioners ensued the council’s Section 114 notice. A review of the council’s finances resulted in instructions to balance it for the next two years. On Tuesday, councillors voted in favour of £300 million in cuts over the next two years. The council tax will be raised by 21 percent in the same period. To this end, the local authority will take measures, such as dimming street lights to save £900,000 and cutting highway maintenance spending by £12 million. Council residents will also see their rubbish collected fortnightly to save £4 million a year....