Vital services could be saved after Powys County Council budget boost

Bin collections, transport services for sixth form students, rural bus routes and some grant funding could be spared the axe thanks to the decision.

Councillor Wynne Jones, portfolio holder for finance, said: "The Welsh Government's funding announcement will provide an additional £1.9m in the coming year and will mean that a number of very difficult proposals can be withdrawn. We will be taking forward a proposal that we no longer pursue plans to introduce transport charges for post-16 learners or take forward plans for further rural transport funding reductions and plans to move to a four-weekly collection of residual waste.

"Plans to make further cuts to rural bus services will also not be taken forward in the three year plan and the proposed cut in grant funding for Tourist Information Services has also been dropped from the 2016/17 budget, although there will be a 15 per cent cut in those grants.

"I am delighted to say that that the proposal will also include the provision of an extra £1.2m for the schools delegated budget and an additional £1.05m for adult social services. Powys still faces a very difficult financial period but the Welsh Government's recognition that it needs additional support is most welcome."

The news was welcomed by residents, who had previously expressed concern over the proposal to cut the number of bin collections.

Councillor Michael Webster, vice chairman of Guilsfield Community Council, said: "For families it would have been a big inconvenience to only have a monthly collection, especially if they had babies with a lot of nappies to get rid of.

"It's very good news for families and indeed anyone who generates a lot of rubbish. People were quite worried about the idea of having a monthly collection."

The county council was due to meet this afternoon (Thursday) to discuss how to begin to make the £29.8million cuts needed over the next three years. Members are expected to agree a council tax increase of 4.25 per cent for a Band D property - £44.44 a year or 88p a week - to help cover some of the shortfall.

The budget agreed by the cabinet today will go to a full council meeting on February 25 before being officially set on March 9.

Councillor Barry Thomas, leader of Powys County Council, said: "The additional funding will help a great deal but will not solve all of our problems, and we still face very challenging savings targets over the next three or four years."

But Councillor Jones warned that the cuts this year are unlikely to be the last faced by the county. He said: "The policy of reducing the levels of public debt means local government in Wales can expect at least three more year of reduced grant income from Welsh Government. Unless this change is funded appropriately and delivered, the ability to set balanced budgets in future years will be significantly reduced given the relatively straightforward savings have already been taken in previous years."

Shropshire Council is facing similar challenges with its budget. Its financial plans for 2016/17 were announced three weeks ago and included about £30 million of cuts, and a proposal to raise council tax by four per cent. Council leaders said the cuts could lead to as many as 150 services being affected, with leisure centres at risk along with maintenance of parks and local amenities.