Council tax goes up – 29 councillors vote for the budget with 14 against

An increase in Council Tax has been given the go ahead in what was described as a “both difficult and very positive” budget.

However councillors called for a fairer funding system for north Wales after the region saw some of the lowest settlements awarded by the Welsh Government.

Wrexham was 3.5 per cent – the third lowest in Wales – compared to the average increase of 4.3 per cent.

Yesterday’s budget featured cuts of £1.636 million, with a further “shortfall of around £6m projected for the two year period from 2021/22 to 2022/23.”

Speaking at yesterday’s meeting, councillor Mark Pritchard, leader of Wrexham Council, stated that the budget included an increase of just over four per cent to the schools budget, a £1 million extra investment into the council’s highways service and £1.5 million for children’s services.

He noted that three weekly bin collections would not be introduced during the next financial year.

Cllr Pritchard said: “The budget is both difficult and very positive. It includes some targeted investment in the environment, social care and children’s services. This is despite Wrexham getting one of the lowest settlements in Wales.

“The executive board have recommended an increase of 6.95 per cent in Council Tax, that is aimed at protecting services and jobs as much as possible.

“All of us have had lots of conversations about education and investment and this year there will be a 4.1 per cent increase. It hasn’t been easy but I think investing in education is paramount and important.

“There is £1 million for highways. The environment department has had an extremely difficult time since austerity started. We have cut and cut and cut the environment department.

“This year we are investing into resurfacing and pot holes. Is it enough, no. Will it help, yes. It is not the answer and I don’t want anyone to think the £1 million will cure all of the issues. It is to be welcomed but it certainly won’t take us to where we want to be.”

He added: “I hope every member in this chamber is strong enough, it’s about protecting services in Wrexham. This will give us a boost to put extra money in here, we have to set Council Tax to bring in the money.”

However the Council Tax increase was challenged by leader of the Labour Group, councillor Dana Davies, who said she had been approached by a number of her constituents who were concerned about the almost seven per cent rise.

Cllr Davies said: “Looking at forecast in the medium term financial plan, we’re also concerned to see that the assumptions for not just the next financial year but the future financial years are also assuming a Council Tax increase at 6.95 per cent.

“We were under impression that the medium term financial plan would see it set at 5.5 per cent. We’re not just talking about a rise in council tax for next financial year, but the two years subsequent.”

Cllr Davies also called for a workshop for councillors to review the current funding formula for Wrexham – noting that herself and labour group members had been lobbying for additional money.

She said: “I think what is evident from what we have received is that current funding formula is not working for north Wales.

“If we have a look at what has been awarded four or the north Wales LA are in the bottom of the table. the current funding formula has given us a huge variance of 2.4 per cent between the bottom local authority and the top local authority. It’s really sending money to Gwynedd and the south of Wales.

“I would ask if we could have a workshop to review funding formula as a mater of urgency and I would also ask the leader for a commitment that he lobbies the north Wales council leaders to back the change for the funding formula.

“We have to look at how that funding formula can work for north Wales.”

Cllr Pritchard said he would continue to lobby for additional funding for both Wrexham and the wider region.

He added: “I welcome any extra funding, but I am not going to say that I’m pleased as 3.5 per cent isn’t enough.

“We had 3.5 per cent and you mention the variance between the lowest and the highest, it’s scandalous. North Wales has been punished again and we’ve been underfunded. It is unacceptable.

“I will continue with other north Wales leaders and WLGA.

“We had 3.5 per cent, if we had four per cent we would have had an extra £900,000. That could be the difference between opening and closing libraries, let’s be blunt because we are doing a review into all services.

“I haven’t got the answers but I can give you a guarantee that I will continue to campaign for extra funding for north Wales and a fairness.

“I just hope everyone in this chamber understands that this isn’t of my making, it isn’t of the officers making or elected members here. We have a settlement and have to manage it and unfortunately we haven’t had settlement that we wanted.”

29 councillors voted in favour of approving the budget and the Council Tax increase – with 14 councillors voting against.