THIS year's budget has been hailed one of the most "positive in recent years" by Tory bosses who are now controlling the purse-strings at Dudley Council.

Councillor Steve Clark, cabinet member for finance, outlined the authority's latest financial position at last night's meeting of the cabinet - telling members a growth in business rates and council tax had helped the council to balance its books after six years of tough decisions.

He said £5.6million worth of savings would be made over the next three years to "help protect frontline services as far as possible" and he added: "We're also exploring further ways of saving money to maintain resources."

Cllr Clark, outlining his first budget since becoming finance boss when the council changed hands in May, said over the next three years £2.2million would be spent on helping to maintain streets and green spaces and to enable the borough to offer one-hour of free parking on all car parks; while £9.8million would be invested to support vulnerable adults and children.

He told the News: "It's a very, very positive budget - there are different ways to do things."

A review of procurement structures, implementation of a new digital customer services platform, restructuring the council's human resources and transformation services team and changes to severance pay are among cost-saving measures introduced by the new administration.

Cutting the number of buildings the council leases and investing in low-cost LED lights on main roads are also set to yield savings.

Redundancies, likely to affect around 35 full-time jobs, are also on the cards as part of cost-saving measures but council bosses say they will likely be achieved through natural wastage and cllr Clark added: "Out of 4,000 people that we employ - it's the best figure we've had in years."

Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Council, described the budget as "far more positive than we've had in recent years" and said: “This is a budget about investment, about putting money back into services.

“We recognise these are still very tough times for local authorities but it’s important we remain focused on continuing to provide quality front line services to our residents."

As part of the budget - the authority is proposing a 2.99 per cent increase in council tax which includes a one per cent precept for adult social care (with the option to pay a little extra to help fund the soaring costs of assisting elderly and vulnerable adults).

Residents can vote on whether they would be happy to pay 3.99 or 4.99 or stick with the proposed 2.99 per cent as part of the forthcoming Big Question consultation.

Councillor Pete Lowe, leader of the Labour group, said he "recognises and welcomes" the 1.99 basic council tax proposal and the consultation asking people whether they wish to pay an extra one or two per cent to help fund adult social care, although he warned: "We need to get away from the assumption a low council tax is good news. Less council tax coming in means less control over the budget we have."

Councillor David Sparks, Labour's finance spokesman, added: "The arithmetic of the council has not changed although the administration has changed."

He said there would no doubt be a full debate when the matter goes to the council chamber for a final vote.