February 22, 2024 - 431 views
Budget discussions have been taking place in Conwy this week ahead of the Council meeting to approve a balanced budget for 2024/25.
A report was presented to Finance and Resources Scrutiny Committee and Cabinet.
Cllr Charlie McCoubrey, Leader of Conwy County Borough Council, introduced the report and described the complex financial situation currently facing local authorities across the UK.
He said: “Members will be acutely aware that we collectively have a legal obligation to set a balanced budget for the financial year 2024/2025.
“It’s important to emphasise that this is not a budget in the traditional sense but rather an estimate of the amount of money we will need to deliver services to our residents and meet our legal statutory duties.
“Much of this is out of our direct control, most notably pay awards, interest rates and other significant elements such as Social Care and Homelessness services which are demand led.
“Once again we as members face the unpalatable balance of further cuts to services or punitive and unwelcome increases in Council Tax levels.
“Over the last eleven years this authority has made budget cuts in the region of £82million but, despite this, Council Tax levels have increased year on year with Conwy posting the highest increase in Wales last year of 9.9%. This, for the first time in the history of this authority saw our Council Tax rate overtake our neighbours in Denbighshire, whilst remaining significantly below our neighbours in Gwynedd.
“Clearly this situation is not unique to Conwy with councils struggling across the UK.
“At a time when personal taxation levels are at record levels it is incredibly disappointing that the work local government does is undervalued and clearly underfunded leaving Council Tax payers contributing more and receiving less.
“On the back of these historic cuts to services, it has been incredibly challenging for our officers to bring forward further cuts and I would like to record my thanks for the pragmatic and collaborative ways in which they have worked to bridge our highest ever funding gap.”
The Council will meet on 29 February to finalise and agree the Budget and Council Tax for 2024/25.
