If you glance on social media, wherever you are in the UK, you may find complaints that ‘their’ own council has an exorbitant rate of council tax. I read similar statements here in Solihull, but the truth is, we have one of the lowest in the UK.
I have compared Solihull’s council tax with others in the West Midlands Combined Authority area, with just one authority setting a lower amount. That authority is Dudley. I have compared the rate on Bands E, F and H.
At Band D, you pay £432.94 more in Walsall, with £348.65 and £347.78 more in Wolverhampton and Coventry respectively.
An internet search reveals Solihull has the 59th lowest when compared with 347 other local councils: The most expensive Council Tax in the UK & where is it cheapest?
Now, when we look at GARDEN WASTE charges:
Birmingham £61:80
Coventry £40
Dudley £52
Sandwell £40
Walsall Free service – costs authority £1.1m to run ( Band D and Band E Council Tax is +£432.94 / +£529.12).
Wolverhampton £40
Solihull £44
Notwithstanding the council tax or garden waste collection charges, the acid test must be ‘are the residents’ getting value for money from their council?’ You could pay more and get a decent service, but also pay a lot less to find your local council has effective and economic services.