Residents in Dudley and Sandwell boroughs are to see a rise in council tax following the announcement of budget plans.

Dudley’s is set to rise by almost 4 and a half per cent, while Sandwell’s will increase by nearly 5 per cent this year, with another 3.99 per cent addition for next year.

Councillor Steve Clark, Dudley’s cabinet member for finance, said the authority still had the lowest council tax in the West Midlands. The increase will mean the majority of the borough’s households (Band B) will pay 82p more per week.