NPT LABOUR COUNCILLORS HAVE VOTED AGAINST 7.9% COUNCIL TAX INCREASE

NPT Labour Councillors have voted against the Council Tax increase proposed by the current Coalition administration (made up of Independent, Plaid Cymru, Green and Liberal Democrats).

We felt strongly that to burden residents with an increase on the current council tax rate of nearly 8% was unreasonable, especially during this cost-of-living crisis.

This raise is in addition to a South Wales Police precept rise of 8.69% per household, whilst those serviced by a Town or Community Council will see a further increase according to where they live.

There is also a huge risk in this budget. Fluctuations in Departmental under and overspends have been seen in Council Departmental finances over the last year, and there are severe pressures due to the cost of living crisis, ongoing post-Covid pressures, the ongoing consequences of the War in Ukraine, and continuing levels of inflation to be managed in the forthcoming year.  Particular concern was raised with respect to:

• School budgets with threat of redundancies of school staff
• In Social Care with no certainty that the demand on services will not continue to grow
• In potential, unfunded pay claims above the current rate of inflation
• Due to over reliance on short-term, unreliable, grant funding such as the Levelling Up funds.

As Labour Councillors, while acknowledging the severe lack of funding stemming from the UK government to the Welsh Government, we would have prioritised differently post election.

Placing a greater emphasis on realising income generation and avoiding the expensive delays in dealing with insourcing Leisure Services, leading to less cost due to integrating leisure provision with education, social services provision and ensuring the best deal for residents. We have always concentrated on what was needed and on maintaining services important to our communities.