“Dark times” for Wrexham means you will be asked your thoughts on ‘6% or more’ council tax rise
Members of the public are being urged to have their say on proposed budget cuts – with the leader of Wrexham Council warning of “dark times” ahead for residents of the county borough.
More than £40 million of cuts have been made by the local authority in recent years, resulting in cuts to frontline services and the closure of several local facilities.
However the stark warning from councillors today was that there are “extremely difficult” times ahead, with more services at risk as Wrexham Council looks to save a further £18 million over the next two years.
On Wednesday (24th October) the latest ‘Difficult Decisions’ consultation will launch, with members of the public being asked to have their say on a potential six per cent (or more) increase of council tax, a review into the local library services and potential council income generators.
Deputy leader of Wrexham Council, Cllr Hugh Jones, described the decisions facing the public and the local authority as “impossible”.
He said: “It is important now that the public have the opportunity to have their say.
“In order to set the scene we need to understand a number of things. The consultation last year we did over a period of two years based on all the indications that that Welsh Government had given us. We were looking at a period of relative stability to enable us to sensibly plan over the two years.
“What we’ve now found at this very late stage is Welsh Government have come out with a settlement which is significantly worse than they had previously indicated and as a result we are now having to make some changes in the financial year 19/20 and 20/21.
“We were looking to save £11 million over two years, we are now faced with £18 million over two years. That is a £7 million difference over a two year period on top of over £40 million savings already made.”
“We started a consultation a few years back calling it ‘difficult decisions’, we are now faced with impossible decisions as none of came into local government to cut back services.”
Leader of Wrexham Council, Cllr Mark Pritchard, described the provisional settlement as a “disaster which could have a massive impact on the services we deliver in Wrexham”.
He added: “I look at Labour, Plaid Cymru and the Liberal Democrats, this can’t go through unless it has support. Speak to AMs and MPs.
“Austerity has to stop, this is madness. It is a merry go round and we have to get off.”
Cllr Phil Wynn, lead member for education, called for leader of the Labour group, Cllr Dana Davies and leader of the Plaid Cymru Group, Cllr Marc Jones to use their “influence” with contacts that apparently have the ears of Welsh Government and lobby them to “soften the blow”.
He added: “I hope you will play your part in any way with the powers that be in Cardiff and any additional monies come the way of local government”.
However in a rare showing of amicability and a contrast to an earlier and more heated executive board earlier this month where a time out was called, Cllr Pritchard, noted that Cllr Davies had been lobbying and meeting with Welsh Government ministers since the settlement announcement.
Cllr Davies added that she’d had eight meetings with ministers over the past week to make representations for Wrexham and argue that any additional monies for education needs to go via the local authority and directly to schools.
Questions were raised by Cllr Alun Jenkins over the publicity of the consultation and how the council are looking to engage with residents throughout the process.
Cllr Jenkins said: “The consultation process worries me, the document is long and discouraging.
“I know we do marvellous work in consultation, but when I talk to people out there and explain to them, my feeling is the public don’t realise until a bin collection changes or that there will charges for things.
“I think we really do need to do more effective ways of involving more people and sharing dilemma we are in.”
However Cllr Jones pointed to the council’s previous track record and imagination with consultations, referencing the use of social media, cartoons and infographics to inform the public in the past.
It was also noted that along with an online campaign, details about the consultation are in every public building owned by the council – along with meetings with various groups.
He added: “There is no stone left unturned in terms of promoting consultation and stressing to public importance of letting us know.
“We can do no more than what we are doing. Our communications team are one that we can be proud of. They do a fantastic job in getting message out there.”
In a tongue in cheek reference to last week’s homes and environment scrutiny committee, Cllr Bithell suggested that A Boards could be placed in the town centre encouraging people to ‘lobby your Assembly Member”. (More on that article here…)
In terms of the potential increase of council tax, Cllr Brian Cameron for the consultation to be clearer to the public with any additional precepts and charges that would increase council tax by more than six per cent.
Cllr Jones explained that a levy from the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority has been factored into any council tax rise, but agreed further clarity is needed in terms of community councils and the police and crime commissioner precepts which are not set by the council.
Members of the executive board voted unanimously in favour of launching the ‘Difficult Decisions’ consultation.
This year’s Difficult Decisions consultation will launch tomorrow, Wednesday 24th October, and members of the public will have five weeks to take part.
As per today’s meeting and concern about how to increase public engagement / awareness of the council’s consultation, we of course encourage everyone to have their say over the next five weeks. Expect to see several budget related articles and reminders from us in that period as well…!
Our live tweets from the meeting earlier that included this agenda item are below in reverse order…
(Bear in mind for all the thanks – last time around the Exec Board was suspended to let everyone calm down. Perhaps someone has had a word?! link )
The meeting wraps up with no AOB. Live tweets end… we are now going to fight our way through the A-Boards in town to locate a bacon bap or other pork based products for a spot of lunch!
Clr Bithell offers thanks to all for a ‘much more pleasant meeting today’ Cllr Graham Rogers calls out ‘makes a change doesnt it’.
Clr Pritchard apologies to Clr Cameron for iPad comment, says was ‘trying to inject a bit of humour’ to proceedings.
Mini beef between Clr Pritchard & Clr Cameron as he was ‘offered an ipad’, points out he has one but does not do social media for his own reasons. Social media feedback was cited as one element for feedback. Clr Cameron: “I did not come here for lectures but answers.”
Clr Cameron asks about feedback from public on the idea, also queries if item and policy change is really urgent. Clr Bithell says the Welsh Gov settlement has brought things forward and thus ‘is urgent’ to make savings.
Clr Terry Evans makes a joke about cardboard (!) Clr Pritchard and other have a chuckle, Clr Pritchard says he is ‘trying to keep a straight face’. Clr Cameron starts his point “It is hard to keep a straight face sometimes…” Not entirely sure he was laughing with them!
Growth Bid item passes – business moves to changes to the winter green bin / garden waste policy change, if hands go up in a tick, this will happen from December: link
Cllr Jones wraps up saying he has “concerns we are putting economic eggs in one big nuclear basket”. Clr Pritchard says Wylfa is nothing to do with Bid, Clr Jones mixed words earlier, and makes a joke Clr Jones had visited a pub ‘to have a pint’ before asking his Q to ‘oohs’.
Clr Marc Jones talks of the ‘standout project’ that is ‘elephant in the room’ – Wylfa Newydd – plans for new nuclear power station. Asks how dependant Bid is on that going ahead, and if does not happen, does the Bid happen.
One Q from Clr Dana Davies about ‘risk’ in the project schedule. Says ideal scenario is projects underwritten by Westminster, rather than possible risk on local authorities. Clr Pritchard says he is ‘relaxed’ as early doors & hopes risk will be with ‘both governments’.
Procedural bit on the Growth Deal bid up next – basically the ‘City Deal’ stuff where billions go elsewhere from Westminster, well North Wales is looking for a huge wodge at next Budget (think 29th Oct?). WCBC looking to give formal support in principle.
Motion to go out to consult passes the Exec Board – expect that out tomorrow – and you only have a few weeks to take part to have your say….!
Council Leader asks opposition group leaders individually by name (Marc Jones/Dana Davies/Alun Jenkins) ‘to go back to your AM’s’, ‘this cant go through unless it has support’ – also asks ‘Austerity has to stop, this is a madness, a merry go round. We have to get off.’
Chief Exec talks around the ‘One Council’ idea, of lobbying as a council and councillors and communicating with the people of Wrexham.
Going by this discussion Wrexham Council’s budget sounds like a disaster movie, but the sequel coming out in 2020-2021 is going to be even more scary.
Chief Exec now talking about ‘media campaign’ to get the consultation out there on ‘what is a hard debate’, ‘none of us come into public service to reduce services’. Thanks Cllrs for a ‘thoughtful’ and ‘considered’ debate this morning, saying that debate ‘creates the context’.
Clr Kelly picking up on some wording issues. Says consultation on whole is ‘tame’, should be bolder. ‘Even if we do all this, it wont be enough’. ‘We are asking public to pay more and more for less and less’. Adds doc ‘not as hard hitting as it needs to be’.
‘Media’ mentioned as being key to help communicate budget stuff with you the public. Since LDR scheme came to Wrexham ( link ) Leader dont come to meetings, or media briefs. Daily Post gave up long time ago. BBC themselves or ITV? Er. LDR meant to be more eyes.
Clr Hugh Jones says its more ‘honest’ to not have a top figure, sees the ‘or more’ as an opportunity for people to say ‘you have not gone far enough’. Adds it cant see council approving a double figure rise.
If you are wondering what the A-Board stuff is about, we went to this meeting and wrote it up here: link
Wide laughter on the A-Board jibe – Clr Pritchard tells Clr Bithell ‘enough of that…’ business moves on more seriously. Cllr Graham Rogers ask ‘what does more mean?’ on the question to public on ‘6% or more’, wants a top end figure inserted into the doc ‘to be fair to public’
Clr Bithell introduces a ‘lighter note’, asking if an A-Board saying ‘lobby your AM for a fairer deal’ in the town centre could be worthwhile. Clr Jenkins tears back to the chair to reply… says “Yes as long as they are standard size and a small charge for a licensing system”
Clr Wynn thanks Clr Jenkins ‘for his honesty’ over having to raise council tax. Notes he ‘challenged’ Cllr Marc Jones (Plaid) & Clr Davies (Lab) to lobby for Welsh Gov for Wrexham, adds he wants Cllr Jenkins (Lib Dems) to lobby too. Clr Jenkins replies ‘we all need to do that’.
Clr Hugh Jones gives details of how WCBC are ‘imaginative’ about consultation including cartoons! Says ‘can take a horse to water but cant make it drink’ – basically onus on public giving a toss and being aware of whats going on (our words!)
Clr Jenkins say ‘the public do not realise what is going on until the bin collection changes’, public only reacts when the cuts hit them. Wants WCBC to explore more ‘imaginative’ ways to engage people in budgets – thinks if people knew, they could be open to more council tax
Clr Jenkins says he hopes ‘we can all knock some sense into the Welsh Assembly’ as the current budget settlement is provisional, not final.
Clr Jenkins says consultation doc is ‘long and discouraging’, that the actual method is not engaging. Adds even 6% council tax rise would still see a substantial gap, notes future £8m gap with nothing planned to pay for it. Implication to go higher than 6% rise now.
Clr Jenkins, Lib Dem, says ‘someone said austerity is over’ but adds people of Wrexham would disagree. Describes the cuts plans as ‘devastating’ and a ‘no win situation whichever way we go’ while being ‘bold and brave’. No mention of Education yet.
‘One Council’ has been a buzzword since the new Chief Exec arrived – usually exchanges between Cllrs Davies / Pritchard are not as affable. Perhaps it is happening?! 🤓
“We have done everything we can, and we are a very run authority. We are at that point now we have to stop some services. I hope people listen to where we are. It is factual” adds Cllr Pritchard.
Clr Pritchards latest twitter surge possibly explained, “I dont get involved with social media and the like but there are alot of untruths out there’, ‘we need to put a correction out’.
Clr Davies speaks about Education budgets, notes Minister is ‘within the coalition’ with Labour, but points towards Kirsty Williams AM being Lib Dem too. Council Leader Pritchard grins.
Clr Pritchard says he is ‘pleased’ representations have been made to Welsh Gov by Wrexham Labour group, ‘It has not gone unnoticed and I would like to thank you for that’. Clr Davies says had 8 meetings with Ministers very recently, notes £30m for Social Care.
*POLITICAL KLAXON* Here it is – Clr Wynn kicks off the politics – says hopes Plaid / Labour Cllrs in room ‘have the ears of Welsh Government’ due to joint budget agreement, to feedback to get more cash for Wrexham ‘to soften the blow’
Clr Lowe say ‘lots out there look at the bottom line and it is council tax’, noting it is made up of several areas. Wants residents to be informed ‘very very clearly’ in the consultation and assuming the bill itself!
Clr Cameron asks if 6% council tax rise figure includes fire service, adds community councils also looking to increase precepts. Clr Hugh Jones says ‘we have no idea’ what Police & Crime Commissioner will set, and Fire & Rescue will ‘make a decision’ and WCBC ‘just collects it’
Clr Pritchard says in terms of cuts ideas ‘we will revisit each department, no stone will be left unturned’. Finance Officer says the bigger impact ones on public are in the consultation, adds unions and staff will also be consulted
Clr Dana Davies starts the questions, including asking for the ‘or more’ on possible 6% council tax rise to be removed and be more precise. Also asks for all proposals not consulted on before, but possibly included in cuts, to be put to the public.
Cllr Hugh Jones presenting the cuts consultation report, blaming Welsh Government for ‘late’ notifications, and thus a 5 week consultation starting tomorrow – and WCBC have altered things to avoid just a 4 week consultation.
Meeting opens – meeting told that Plas Madoc Cllr Paul Blackwell ‘has been involved in a serious car accident’. Council Leader says he, and his family, are in everyones thoughts at this time.
In the Guildhall for a ‘Special’ Exec Board meeting – Revenue Budget consultation likely to be agreed, going by previous years will be some questions raised but countered by ‘you will get to have your day later in the process’ etc etc !
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