Council tax rise of 5pc is passed for Powys

Powys County Council's cabinet proposed the rise at a meeting two weeks ago, stating that the council could not continue in its current financial form.

At that meeting, a host of members made their feelings known, and insisted austerity from the UK Government was coming onto the streets of Powys.

The rise was voted through then, and at a meeting yesterday the tax was rubber stamped in a vote of 41 to 20.

Labour Councillor David Thomas argued that austerity from Westminster is destroying front line Powys services, and there was no need to raise the tax as high as the council has.

He was backed up by fellow Labour councillor Matthew Dorrance, who again accused the Conservatives on the cabinet of going back on their local election pledges last year.

Finance portfolio holder Councillor Aled Davies said the council had been put in a difficult situation.

He insisted the council had received a smaller Welsh Government settlement, and that he had not gone back on his election pledges.

He added: "We haven't gone back on election pledges, we have pragmatic approach to the problems the council face.

"We have been left in a very difficult position by the old council, who failed with children's services and we now face challenges.

"The Labour group doesn't understand the finances of a council, and we have had to produce a balanced budget."