EFFORTS to cope with the demands of social care in Worcestershire are to get a boost of around £4m.
In an announcement by local government minister James Brokenshire MP, the county’s bid for a one-year 75 per cent Business Rates pilot was given the go-ahead.
It means more money from business rates gathered in Worcestershire next year will remain in the county.
Working with its six district councils, including Redditch, the County Council says it will invest the extra funds into services to prevent or reduce the cost of social care, which accounts for 70 per cent of its budget.
Councillor Simon Geraghty, the Leader of Worcestershire County Council, said: “This announcement is really good news.
It will mean more of the business rates that we collect in Worcestershire will stay in Worcestershire for our residents.
“These are challenging financial times for all councils who have responsibility for caring for the most vulnerable in our society and working with our district council colleagues we will now be able to invest millions of pounds more into social care.”
