Warning of cuts and council tax rise
Thursday 15th October 2009, 11:10AM BST.
Powys could be facing more cuts in services and higher council tax following a government announcement that the county will get the lowest funding increase in Wales for the third year running.
Welsh Assembly Minister for Social Justice and Local Government Brian Gibbons said yesterday the council would receive a one per cent increase to fund services in 2010-11 – the lowest in Wales and below the Welsh average increase of two per cent.
Powys County Council will receive £181 million in core funding to support local services including education, social services and refuse collection.
County council board chairman Councillor Michael Jones said: “The council had been anticipating another difficult settlement with the current pressure on public spending but to receive the smallest increase for a third year is difficult to understand. Budgets are already under severe pressure and we have had to take some very difficult and unpopular decisions. This announcement will do little to change that and the council can expect some very challenging debates in the coming months.”
Dr Gibbons said funding was equivalent to £1,365 for every man, woman and child in the county and added he had made available £12.7 million to support capital projects.
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The Council will have to trim its bloated payroll. Councillors cannot expect the very hard pressed ratepayers to bankroll them once again. I do not think that the chiefs in Cardiff would pass on just a 1% increase if they could not see ways of making huge savings. Lets see what happens
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