NEWS POLITICS BUDGET 23

Balanced budget to be considered by council

Despite unprecedented economic conditions, Powys County Council will be asked to consider a balanced budget next week with investment for key services including schools.

1 year ago   2 minutes read    1,266 views

The image for Balanced budget to be considered by council
 
Share            Listen to the story

Despite unprecedented economic conditions, Powys County Council will be asked to consider a balanced budget next week with investment for key services including schools.

A meeting of the Full Council will be asked to approve spending plans of more than £326 million for 2023-2024 financed by a combination of funding from the Welsh Government and a below inflation increase in Council tax, when it meets next Thursday.


  Other Trending Stories

Cabinet Member for Finance and Transformation, Councillor David Thomas said:

"A better than anticipated local government settlement has allowed the council to keep the council tax increase to a minimum despite unprecedent financial pressures.

"The Cabinet proposes a below inflation council tax increase of 3.8 per cent in its draft budget, the final figure will move to five per cent to fund an increased Fire Authority levy.

"Despite the increased funding it has been the most difficult budget-setting process the county council has ever experienced. The impact of high inflation, increased demand for social care, staff pay and funding post-Covid-19 recovery, have combined to create an extremely difficult position.

"Our priority throughout has been to protect services, particularly those that support people at this most difficult of times, ensuring our schools receive all the additional funding provided by Welsh Government, resulting in an additional £5.6m investment in education. We have also provided an extra £500,000 for energy efficiency schemes in schools.

"Every budget includes a mix of essential growth to fund services and reductions, this year despite an overall increase in our budget we have identified more than £16m in reductions by delivering services more efficiently or at reduced cost.

"By taking early action to reduce Council spending through tighter financial controls, moving staff to main offices to reduce costs and lowering temperatures in corporate buildings, we have achieved our goals without impacting frontline services.

"We are continuing work to convert streetlights to more efficient LED lights and reducing staff travelling through digital ways of working, reducing costs and cutting the council's carbon footprint. Our refuse and recycling systems remain at high levels, surpassing the Welsh Government's recycling target.

However, the proposed Council Tax increase is needed to balance our budget and put us on a sound footing for the coming financial year. Proposing a below inflation rise will limit the impact on Powys residents, who like everyone else are feeling the impact of the cost-of-living crisis".

The budget will be considered by a meeting of full council on Thursday February 23 2023.

You've viewed 1 stories so far!

All About Newtown is an independent not-for-profit online news and information service for the town of Newtown in Mid Wales. We provide ad-free content, so rely on reader subscriptions and donations to run.

  Donate via PayPal

Related or similar stories based on this one

Image for the article County councillors approve budget
County councillors approve budget

9 months ago

Image for the article How much will you be paying in Council Tax from April?
How much will you be paying in Council Tax from April?

1 year ago

Image for the article Rising employee costs chipping away at surplus
Rising employee costs chipping away at surplus

1 year ago

Business of the Week
The Beauty Storm

Shortbridge Street

Follow us

Connect with us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Google News

     

Trending
Newtown chapel sells for £200k

4 hours ago

Shop to close after nearly a century

2 days ago

See what's on next week in our area (W49)

2 days ago

Donate to us

We're a not-for-profit community interest company and have no corporate owners. We'd appreciate anything you can give to keep us providing free content.

  Donate via PayPal
Upcoming Events
Fire Experience Day

04/12/24 10:00am

The Wicked Witches Of Oz

05/12/24 07:00pm

The Wicked Witches Of Oz

06/12/24 07:00pm

Latest Stories
Newtown chapel sells for £200k

4 hours ago

New ALN strategy approved

7 hours ago

Can you help find rough sleepers?

13 hours ago