Worcestershire council tax will rise to support vulnerable residents. The increase aims to generate £21 million for social care and SEND.
Simon Geraghty spoke about the financial pressures. Social care for adults and kids faces issues, and he wants taxpayers to fund the vulnerable. The council needs to fund the most vulnerable people.
The tax increases should raise £21 million. They hope it helps with SEND and roads too. The £495 million budget got approval.
The council still has a £33.6m gap for 2025/26. This gap could reach £43.6m the next year. The tax increase aims to close the gap by £21m, still leaving a funding gap of over £12 million.
Geraghty cited lost grants as a reason, while also mentioning rising social care costs. Social care has an £87m deficit. Opposition parties blamed Conservative leadership, stating they failed to foresee problems.
Jade Bleese was at the meeting and is a governor at Fort Royal Primary School. Bleese said SEND provisions are in crisis. About 148 children may lack school placements; The school is over-subscribed this year. Bleese requested more space or a new school, believing this could solve the growing SEND provision gap.