Keeping you up to date with breaking news, insightful analysis and thoughts from the top opinion formers in the sector, The MJ helps you do this. A separate amount is also charged to pay for Adult Social Care in Sandwell. Adding the authority was still helping those on the lowest incomes, he said: “One of the things I am very proud of is we are still the only council in the Midlands offering a 100 per cent council tax reduction scheme. This browser version is not supported. Returning officers have called for protection against lawsuits for running this year’s elections if the Government sticks to holding them in May during a pandemic. Councils should not ‘overly collude’ with the ‘flagellation that sometimes comes from the centre’ on their state of governance, according to a London borough chief executive. A man is fighting for his life after being critically injured in a shooting. The opportunity to take part in The MJ events such as The MJ Awards – the number one awards ceremony in local government. The Government’s Budget report, outlining its strategy for Total Place, was a missed opportunity, says former pilot project director, Phil Swann. Keep up to date by subscribing to our daily newsletter. His remarks came after Councillor Paul Moore disagreed with his own party’s cabinet, and questioned the rise last week saying: “Obviously we all know we are going through a worldwide pandemic at the moment but in terms of the level of service people in Sandwell are receiving, things like litter collection bin collections, repairs, etc, have been disrupted. Coronavirus has left local authorities seriously underfunded and facing budget cuts unless the Government can create a long-term financial plan for the sector, a study from the National Audit Office (NAO) has warned. We provide lots of services to residents within the Dudley Borough, including: planning, Council Tax, bins and recycling, housing, parking and roads, safeguarding, among many others. Full and exclusive access to our website, Tips on how to get things right through our best practice focuses, A clear view of the recruitment market, with the latest senior council job vacancies, Discussions on the latest government policy and what it will mean for you. In addition, it also brings you examples of best practice and more job vacancies than any other weekly UK local government magazine. A building control officer has told the Grenfell Inquiry he was ‘misled’ into certifying insulation later used on the tower as suitable for high-rise blocks. West Bromwich Tory MPs deny 'split personalities' on council tax Sandwell West Brom MPs attack Labour's record in row on three percent tax hike. “Sandwell’s tax increase is the lowest across all councils in the West Midlands. Subscribe to our daily newsletter! The increase comes as the authority faces a £13.8 million deficit which is having to be plugged by £11 million reserves. The financial crisis which is now spilling over into the real economy is, in the words of the IMF, the governor of the Bank of England, and any number of experts, ‘the greatest financial shock since the Great Depression’. To find out how we store data or for any questions that you may have about data, Councils left seriously underfunded, NAO finds, Lord Heseltine calls for a cross-government approach to regeneration, Scottish pandemic recovery prospects ‘severely eroded’, National Test and Trace failed to draw on councils' expertise, Tear down devolution 'barriers,' APPG urges, Councils should not 'overly collude' with 'flagellation' on governance, Council officer 'misled' over Grenfell insulation, please click here to access to our Privacy Policy, Choose to challenge on International Women's Day, Decision to prioritise vaccine jabs by age ‘deeply flawed’, BUDGET 2021: Leeds named as site of new infrastructure bank, Keep up to date by subscribing to our daily newsletter, Catch up on all the latest news and best practice, The latest news delivered directly to you, Insights from our expert analysis and opinion. Make sure you subscribe today. Get the best news, sport and what's on in the local area from the Halesowen News. BEAM Sandwell is a well-being drop-in service for young people aged 5-18 (or up to 25 if you're a care leaver) who are registered with a GP in Sandwell. Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article. The costs for each band in 2021/22 are as follows: This year the Government has said local authorities can increase their base council tax by two per cent plus an additional 2.99 to pay for adult social care. Public housing (known as council housing or social housing in the UK) provided the majority of rented accommodation in the United Kingdom until 2011 when the number of households in private rental housing surpassed the number in social housing. Six councils are deep in negotiations with the Government in a bid to claw them out of their financial difficulties in the run up to next week’s settlement, The MJ understands. Members of the authority’s cabinet made the claims as it approved the final draft of its budget which will see an average rise of £52 per year starting in April. Refuse workers in Sandwell are set to receive substantial back pay following intervention by trade union Unite. Council Tax helps pay for council services (like rubbish collection, schools, libraries and social services etc.) With the pace of change in local government, it has never been more crucial to stay on top of the agenda. Councillor Wasim Ali, cabinet member for resources and core services, said the council increase was lower than the 4.99 per cent allowed by Government which is being adopted by Dudley, Wolverhampton and Walsall councils. Lord Heseltine has put the case for a senior cross-departmental Cabinet minister and committee to lead on regeneration, 'mirrored in the big regional centres'. Please use Internet Explorer 9 or higher. Council chief executives have asked for the same pay rise as will be awarded to the rest of local government staff in 2021-22. The prospects for post-pandemic recovery in Scotland have been 'severely eroded' by funding constraints, councils have said. If you’d like to change your delivery address, please contact our subscriptions department at customer@hgluk.com We have a number of long term subscription packages available that will ensure you never have to go without the latest news and information – and will also save you money. as well as fire and police services. Read The MJ for free, OR Council Tax charges are different for each property valuation band. Powers should be devolved to councils before reorganisation takes place, a new report has concluded. In light of the ongoing coronavirus crisis, some of you may not be able to receive your copy of TheMJ magazine. Paying your Council Tax Set up a direct debit to pay your bill or pay online, by phone or in person. Sandwell Council bosses say a proposed 2.99 per cent council tax increase is the lowest in the West Midlands – and shows they are on … “It’s going to be a bitter pill to swallow any increase in council tax given the level of services people are receiving.”. MPs have questioned the impact of the NHS Test and Trace programme and urged it to collaborate more with local authorities. The Government has been urged to rethink its ‘damaging’ reforms to the planning system and put people, climate and nature at its heart by a coalition of 18 organisations. The rise comes as the authority faces a £13.8 million deficit which is having to be plugged by £11 million reserves. “Obviously we will be making tough decisions going forward but we want to show people we are on their side and we understand their pain.”. If you are going to be prepared for the next five years in the sector, you need the tools to help you perform at your best – you need The MJ. Please visit our main billing page for more information. A judicial review hearing into the public sector exit pay cap will take place in March. This email address has already been registered for the newsletter. Opposition councillors at Oldham MBC criticise the ruling Labour group after announcing a new £33m school would not open this week. News Council chiefs ask for matched pay rise By Michael Burton | March 8, 2021 Council chief executives have asked for the same pay rise as will be awarded to the rest of local government staff in 2021-22. Local enterprise partnerships (LEP) have been side-lined from two crucial funds ahead of a review of the future of the organisations. We are currently working to produce the Council Tax bills for the year 2021/22. ... while the other one per cent will pay for adult social care. Sandwell Council bosses say a proposed 2.99 per cent council tax increase is the lowest in the West Midlands – and shows they are on the side of residents. You can get information on their website. At the Hemming Group we take the protection of your data very seriously. Your subscription to The MJ – the most read weekly UK local government management magazine offers a range of benefits including: Subscribe today to take advantage of all these benefits or request a sample. Crisis-hit Croydon LBC has suspended a big chunk of its senior leadership in a bombshell move. Final approval of the budget will be made by all councillors on March 2. Houses and flats built for public or social housing use are built by or for local authorities and known as council … Sandwell Council has increased council tax by 2.99 per cent for the next financial year. Council tax is calculated across eight property bands which are set to the value of the home. To find out more about these, simply call 0207 973 6694. Pay your Council Tax We've matched this postcode to Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council.