Wrexham Council Receives 1.2% Funding Increase

Wrexham County Borough Council will receive a funding boost of 1.2% for 2012/13 compared to 2011/12 as part of the Local Government Settlement announced by the Welsh Government this week.

The Local Government Revenue Settlement Grants for unitary authorities for the remainder of the assembly term were announced this week by Local Government Minister Carl Sergeant, allocating a total of £4.019 Billion in funding across Wales.

The settlement puts Wrexham top of the table for North Wales and third place for the whole of Wales in terms of the the size of funding increase received, however, on a per capita basis, Wrexham is ranked just 19th out of the 22 authorities.

Overall it represents a year on year increase in funding of 0.24% across Wales, while the proposed allocations for the following two years, 2013-14 and 2014-15, will increase by 1.3% and 0.6% respectively.

Responding to the announcement Councillor Alun Jenkins, Lead Member for Finance and Asset Management said: “It is good news that Wrexham has received an above average settlement.

“Council services are under particular pressure in the current year with increased demand in areas such as benefits, home care and children’s services.”

Wrexham Council has said that it will respond to the provisional settlement during the formal consultation period which ends on Friday 18th November.

In a statement councillors also said that they would strive hard to keep council tax at as low a level as possible.

Councillor Ron Davies, Leader of the Council said: “I recognise it is not an easy settlement but we are well prepared given the work already carried out by officers and members over the past six months and we will strive to minimise the impact on front line services.”