West Midlands Budget Approved With No Extra Tax Burden on Residents

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) approved their budget. The WMCA Board met on February 7th to discuss it. Councils will pay more into the transport fund, but taxpayers will not pay an extra precept.

The board approved the plan without any discussion. The Transport Levy increased by £3.6 million, going from £119.35 million to £122.94 million. All seven member councils contribute to this levy.

The report said the increase addresses transport issues caused by inflation, lost funding, and past decisions. The levy funds free or reduced travel for eligible people, as well as subsidized buses and accessible transport.

The WMCA can raise transport money through a council levy. Birmingham will pay £48.09 million, up from £46.78 million, and Coventry will pay £14.88 million, up from £14.37 million next year.

Dudley will pay £13.47 million, up from £13.13 million, and Sandwell will pay £14.33 million, up from £13.91 million. Solihull will pay £9.02 million, up from £8.8 million, and Walsall will pay £11.91 million, up from £11.56 million.

Wolverhampton will pay £11.23 million, up from £10.81 million. The WMCA decided not to add a tax for residents in 2025/26. Mayor Richard Parker said he won’t add a precept because he believes people pay enough taxes already.

Fees from local authority members will remain the same. The Mayoral office budget increased by £40,000 to cover staffing costs, yet remains lower than expected.