Council agrees 2023/24 budget
The Vale of Glamorgan Council agreed its budget for the next financial year at a meeting last night.
Proposals designed to protect support services for the most vulnerable residents were approved by a majority of councillors after full consideration of all comments received following a period of public consultation as well as debate by all of the Council’s scrutiny committees.
Council Tax will increase by 4.9 per cent. This is expected to be a smaller increase than that of most other Welsh local authorities and should mean Vale residents continue to pay less Council Tax than the average charged in Wales.
There will also be an increase in the charges for some non-essential services.
The increase in Council Tax and the changes to charges are needed because the Council has to meet a £9.7 million financial shortfall in its budget for next year.
Cllr Lis Burnett, Leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, said: “Despite a better-than-expected settlement from Welsh Government, the Council remains in an extremely difficult and challenging financial position. “That means we must make difficult decisions as there simply isn’t the money to maintain all services at current levels.
“The rise in Council Tax has been kept to a minimum as we appreciate the pressures facing residents during the cost-of-living crisis.
“Unfortunately, the Council has also been impacted by recent price rises and that means that a Council Tax increase is essential if we are to retain essential services for our residents and communities.
“Our priority remains protecting schools and ensuring our most vulnerable residents continue to receive the care and support they need.”
Savings that add up to £7.4 million have been put forward, and these savings, along with the careful short-term use of council reserves, will help to bridge the funding gap.
Like other Local Authorities, businesses and individuals, the Council has been significantly impacted by an uncertain economic situation that has seen energy prices soar alongside climbing inflation and interest rates.
The Council’s main source of income is a settlement from Welsh Government, which, including a contribution from pooled business rates, provides around 69 per cent of the £294 million it needs to deliver all services. Thirty-one per cent of the Council’s budget comes from Council Tax.