Authority's tax collection rate 'of real concern'

BIRMINGHAM City Council has been urged to “drastically improve” its council tax collection rate as it looks to rebuild stability.

- ALEXANDER BROCK Local Democracy Reporter

The Labour-run authority has been forced to make unprecedented cuts to local services over the past year or so as it grapples with a financial crisis.

At the same time, Brummies saw their council tax increase by 10% last year and are soon set to be hit by another increase of 7.5%.

But a council performance report, covering the third quarter of 2024-25, showed the council tax collection rate at this point was around 75%.

This was below the council's target of 78.45%.

The report said: “Performance has declined slightly compared to this time last year when a result of 75.90% was recorded.”

Cllr Robert Alden, leader of the council's opposition Conservative group, said the council tax collection rate was “really fundamental to the financial viability of the organisation going forward”.