THE Vale of Glamorgan Council has launched its budget consultation ahead of the 2020 to 2021 financial year, and it has asked for the input of Vale residents on three options.

Facing a possible budget deficit of £6 million for the next financial year, the council faces making difficult decisions and has opened up to residents’ input.

For the first time residents will be asked to consider the level at which the council should set council tax for the next financial year.

The council’s budget for the 2019 to 2020 financial year was £226m and the council set itself a savings target of £3.8m.

The next three years are forecast to require further savings of around £16million.

The council are offering residents three options:

  • Keep council tax below the Welsh average (forecast to be £26.42 per week for Band D properties) and reduce services.
  • Increase council tax to the Welsh average (£28.90 per week based on forecast) and protect some services.
  • Increase council tax above the Welsh average (£29.05) and protect all services.

Councillor Neil Moore, leader of the council, said: “Since 2010 the council has reduced its overall budget by £55m and if current forecasts are accurate a quarter of the council’s overall budget will have been eroded in the last decade.

“The level of savings required for next year will depend on the revenue support grant that the council receives from the Welsh Government and the level at which council tax is set.

“The demand for services, especially education and social care continues to rise, along with the cost of delivering them.

“Protecting the services that residents value has been at the heart of the council’s transformation programme over the past five years.

"However, going forward savings alone will not be enough.

“While receiving one of the lowest revenue support grants in Wales the council has kept council tax below the Welsh average.

"However, if we are to continue to deliver all of the services we currently deliver then this will position is simply not sustainable.”

Residents can have their say on the budget by visiting: www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/budget