Vale Council will consider reducing council tax increase

The council will consider whether to reduce the council tax increase by one percent in a cabinet meeting next week. 

The new budget proposals originally suggested increasing council tax by 6.9% so the reduced increase would be 5.9% 

If approved, it will be part of a draft budget which is due to be debated by all Councillors in a meeting in March.  

This comes after a period of consultation with residents and an increase in funding the Council will receive from the Welsh Government. 

The Welsh Government announced a change to how it funds local authorities, Council’s will receive at least 3.8% more money than last year.  

The Vale of Glamorgan Council will therefore receive an extra £1.1 million for their new budget. 

Cllr Lis Burnette (Image: Vale of Glamorgan Council)

Leader of the Vale council, Cllr Lis Burnett said: “We have consistently made Welsh Government aware of our misgivings with its funding formula, which sees the Vale of Glamorgan receive one of the lowest financial settlements in Wales. 

“I’m pleased that those representations have been considered and that our funding will increase from 3.3 per cent to 3.8 per cent compared to last year. 

“I said the last time our draft budget proposals were considered by the Council’s Cabinet, it was with a heavy heart that the recommendation was for a council tax increase of 6.9 per cent. That was not something I was comfortable with and not where we wanted to be as an administration. 

“This additional funding offers the chance to significantly reduce that initially proposed increase. 

“I believe it is right that we use this money for that purpose, rather than reduce savings targets or make the budget easier to manage, as this reflects the priorities of our residents who expressed concern over council tax increases in our budget consultation.  It is only right that we respond to that concern.” 

The Vale of Glamorgan Council (Image: File)

The Vale Council says it is in an ‘extremely challenging financial position’ and despite additional funding it is still facing a budget deficit of nearly £9 million for the next year. 

Therefore, the Vale Council says ‘significant savings’ still need to be made to bring expenditure in line with income. 

The new budget allocates 71% to schools and social care, with spending in those areas increasing by £8.647 million and £10.243 million, respectively. 

An individual with a calculator (Image: Canva)

Cllr Burnett added: “We have been operating within incredibly challenging financial constraints for several years.

"Despite this, we have a track record of continuing to deliver our most vital services to a very high standard. 

“Prioritising investment in social care in recent years means that the Vale has the fewest delays in hospital discharge in Wales and we are able to source home care for those who need it in an average of three days. 

“Continued investment in our schools means our pupils learn in some of the most modern facilities and those that need additional support can access excellent provision. 

“We will continue to invest in our children to make sure they are given the very best platform for success and maintain support for those in the greatest need.”