Birmingham council goes bust

[TheOstrich]

No surprise, this has been a long time coming down the tracks ....

Just a few random observations:
1. Council tax rises in the early 2000's were set by the (Conservative?) council at a very low percentage compared with other local authorities. Thus later percentage increases have started from a very low base, reducing income.
2. Re the computer fiasco, all I can say from personal experience is that BCC's Wages/HR department was a basket case and couldn't be relied upon to carry out the simplest function.
3. How much are the BCC binmen paid these days? I think Union influence/pressure has driven the pay up to train-driver levels?
4. Haven't we been here before, and wasn't there a plan not that long ago to break up the Council into more manageable proportions?