WYRE Forest District Councillors have approved a £16.97million net budget for the forthcoming financial year.
The cash for 2026/27 – agreed at the latest full council meeting – will fund a raft of improvements across the district, including combating fly-tipping, dog fouling and anti-social behaviour.
Car parking charges will be frozen for the next 12 months and there will be increased litter picking during the tourist season to keep parks, riversides and town centres looking their best.
The budget also includes extra support for cultural events across the Kidderminster, Bewdley and Stourport and a new pilot scheme to introduce on-street recycling and litter bins in town centres.
The council has also agreed its a one-off grant to support the Museum of Carpet as it works to develop a new way of running itself. That is part of a wider package of investment in Kidderminster’s heritage and visitor economy and the Kidderminster 2040 Vision.
The district council has agreed to raise its share of the council tax by 2.99 per cent which means the average households – those in Band D – will pay on average just 14p extra each week – £258.08 more for the whole year.
Most people in the three towns will pay less as three quarters of homes in Wyre Forest are in Bands A to C.
Wyre Forest District Council collects Council Tax but currently keeps only 11p in every £1 paid. The rest goes to the county council, town or parish council and the blue light services.
Coun David Ross, Wyre Forest District Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance and Capital Portfolio, said: “Our vision is to make Wyre Forest a safe, vibrant and clean place to live, work and visit.
“We have worked hard to put together a budget that keeps vital services running while investing in the things that make a real difference to local people.”
He warned financial pressures on councils were not getting any easier.
“We have a legal duty to set a balanced budget and we are working hard to find savings and increase the income we earn through our commercial services.
“But we are making sure the things that matter most to residents – cleaner streets, safer communities and a thriving local economy – remain at the heart of everything we do.
“The district council’s share of council tax is going up in line with the current rate of inflation but is falling as a proportion of the total bill.
“Our increase of 2.99 per cent is lower than Hereford and Worcester Fire Authority(+4.89 per cent), The Police and Crime Commissioner for West Mercia (+5.15 per cent) or the county council, which could have an increase as high as 9 per cent.”
Coun Marcus Hart, leader of Wyre Forest District Council, said: “This budget is about investing in our communities and delivering on our priorities, even in tough financial times.
“From freezing car park charges to help our town centres, to tackling fly-tipping and supporting local events and heritage – we are focused on making Wyre Forest a place people are proud to call home.
“We know there are challenges ahead, including local government reorganisation.
“But we remain committed to delivering good services and making the most of every pound of public money.”
Visit: wyreforestdc.gov.uk/counciltaxinformation for more on council tax in the Wyre Forest.
