Independent councillor says administration's budget plan is 'doing everything they can' to maintain services

At its cabinet meeting on Monday, the Telford & Wrekin Council's Labour administration agreed to consult on a 4.9 per cent increase in the tax – consisting of a 2.9 per cent rise for the general fund and two per cent for social care.

It would mean a rise of £1.13 a week for the average Band B home.

The proposal will be consulted on over the next month, before the final go ahead is given by the full council on February 23.

It will be added to the demands of the police, fire service and town and parish councils to come to the final figure.

Reacting to the consultation, Newport West independent Councillor, Peter Scott, said he was inclined to support the plans - believing the authority is doing what it can to maintain services - with a budget that sees more than 70 per cent spent on adult and children's social care.

He said: "From what I can see with the budget the council are doing everything they can to keep the services we need and of course they have a statutory responsibility to fund adult and children's social care, which takes up about 70 per cent of the whole budget.

"I think they are doing a fairly good job with this."

He added: "What I do want with this is for people to go onto the consultation and give their opinions on the proposals.

"I am inclined to vote for it because I feel the borough council are doing everything they can with the situation they have.

"As long as they keep the basic services, I want the roads fixed, the lights kept on, that sort of thing, then I don't know what else they can do."

He continued: "It won't please everyone but it is what it is and I don't think any other group could do any better."