MORE money for social care and roads and a doubling of the investment into reducing traffic congestion are all part of Worcestershire County Council’s budget which has now been formally approved.
The budget will see roughly an extra £50-a-year put on the county’s share of council tax for a Band D property, providing the authority with an overall income of £346million, up from £330m in 2019/20.
Worcestershire County Council leader Coun Simon Geraghty said: “Here in Worcestershire we have one of the fastest growing economies in the country creating more homes, jobs and businesses, which is providing the council with a significant increase to our income.”
“We are planning to use these funds to invest an extra £18 million (gross) into children’s and adult’s social care next year to support those most in need.
“We also want to invest more money in areas most important to residents: our roads and pavements, reducing traffic congestion and improving public transport.
“The Budget also includes plans for a substantial tree planting scheme in Worcestershire.
“We will be working with the Woodland Trust to plant 150,000 new trees in the county to create new woodland areas that will enhance our environment for future generations.
“There are also plans to improve flood mitigation measures as well as upgrading thousands more street lights to more energy efficient LED lights.”
Council tax will increase by 3.99 per cent for the 2020/21 financial year, made up of two per cent ring-fenced for adult social care and 1.99 per cent to support the delivery of other services.
