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Month: October 2023

Walsall 2024/25 Budget Proposal Sets Out Further Council Tax Rise

Walsall Council is suggesting a 2.99% general council tax increase, in addition to a 2% precept designated for adult social care in the first draft of its 2024/25 budget. These proposals translate to an extra cost of 16 pence per day (£1.14 per week) for the average Band D property.

Within the budget, there is a draft capital program for 2024/25 with a total allocation of £132.08 million. This budget encompasses substantial investments in regeneration projects, infrastructure improvements, and educational initiatives. It also includes funding for adult and children’s social care, as well as housing support for vulnerable households through the provision of aids and adaptations.

Councillor Mike Bird, Leader of Walsall Council said:

“The council has a statutory responsibility to set a balanced budget and I am confident that our track record of strong and robust financial management will achieve this.

It’s a challenge that all councils are facing because of the unprecedented cost-of-living increases that we are all experiencing, and rising demand on many of our services, particularly within adult social care and children’s services. Our priority remains to deliver a balanced budget for 2024/25 and keep the council tax increase as low as possible. We know that many of our residents are finding it hard and our proposals have taken this into account. If you live, work, study, visit or do business in the Borough, please have your say in our budget consultation.”

The proposed budget also introduces several cost-saving measures. The council’s Proud transformation plan is aimed at enhancing service efficiency and performance while delivering better outcomes for customers. By the end of the current year, the transformation program is projected to have achieved £64 million in savings.

As of now, the budget for 2024/25 is not balanced, with a budget gap of £18.06 million. Strategies will be formulated to close this gap, and a further update is scheduled for presentation to the Cabinet on December 13, 2023. The final 2024/25 budget will be submitted to the Cabinet and subsequently to the Full Council in February 2024. Public consultation on these proposals is now underway.

To review the budget proposals for 2024/25 and participate in the consultation, please visit the following link: https://go.walsall.gov.uk/your-council/consultations/budget-consultation

 

Plans For New Walsall Secondary School Take Shape

The Department for Education has granted approval for the establishment of a secondary school in Walsall, marking a significant development for the region. This free school will receive direct funding from the government.

One potential location under consideration is the former Reedswood golf course. If chosen, this site will contribute an additional 1,100 student placements to the borough.

This announcement has been met with enthusiasm by local authorities and educational leaders. Councillor Adrian Andrew, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Regeneration at Walsall Council said:

“ This is really good news for the borough. The council has been working with local partners and with the Department for Education for some time to make this happen. The new secondary school in Walsall is part of our £1.5 billion plans to transform the borough, creating opportunities for local families and for young people. “

Walsall Council is currently in partnership with the Department for Education to pinpoint the most suitable location for the new school. The overarching goal is to ensure that every child in Walsall receives an exceptional educational foundation and a positive learning environment in the region’s schools.

Councillor Mark Statham, Portfolio Holder for Education and Skills at Walsall Council, shared this ambitious vision, emphasising the commitment to fostering a favorable learning experience for all students in Walsall.

“Our ambition is that every child in Walsall will have the best possible start and will have a positive learning experience in our schools. Once built and opened this new school will provide more places and more choice for pupils and for their parents and carers. “”

As part of the preparatory phase for the project, preliminary investigations into the former Reedswood golf course site are set to commence this week. These investigations will assess the site’s ground conditions and its suitability for hosting the new school.