Mayor Richard Parker assures West Midlands residents there will be no extra council tax hikes
West Midlands: Mayor Richard Parker has good news for residents. He says there won’t be any extra council tax hikes. This comes despite a funding gap for the West Midlands Combined Authority.
Parker made this clear during a meeting with council members. He emphasized that he has no plans for a precept in 2026. He also rejected the idea for 2025/26.
He explained that the authority is facing a funding gap due to past decisions. Specifically, he mentioned not increasing the Transport Levy, which funds local initiatives.
Adding to council tax bills isn’t on the table right now. Parker promised this before his election last year. Councillor Burrow asked if this position is sustainable for the future.
Parker reiterated his commitment. He stated that the Combined Authority’s spending will exceed its income from 2026 to 2029. He believes this is due to poor historical decisions.
He pointed out that Manchester’s Transport Levy has nearly doubled compared to theirs. This has created some challenges for the West Midlands.
Parker is working closely with the new Government to secure additional funds. He wants to stabilize the bus network, which is a priority for him.
He mentioned that they’ve increased the levy this year with leaders’ agreement. They are also collaborating with the Government to address transport funding issues.
Parker hopes to resolve the funding gap by working with council leaders and the Government. For now, he insists that residents pay enough taxes in the West Midlands.
