“Cut pet projects” to help mitigate “devastation across the 22 councils” in Wales

Extra members of the Senedd and 20 MPH zone roll outs should be paused with money diverted to local authorities, the leader of Wrexham Council has said.

As Wrexham.com has previously reported there is a £800m hole in local council budgets predicted over the next three years, if things do not change.

Energy costs and inflation means there is an in-year shortfall of over £250m.

Since that report many council leaders and the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) have confirmed the figures publicly.

Locally we have seen some related action including the Freedom Leisure support to keep doors open and leisure services running.

This week we asked Wrexham Council Leader Mark Pritchard about the issue, specifically if Wrexham knows a ballpark local shortfall figure yet, and if the council will have to dip into its reserves – like other authorities have said they will have to do.

Cllr Pritchard said: “I have been involved in local politics for 20 years and this is the worst financial experience that I’ve ever had to deal with.

“There’s a tsunami coming over the hill and unless there’s an intervention by Westminster and Cardiff, to fund local authorities, there’ll be devastation across the 22 authorities, no ifs or buts.”

“There has to be a sensible, competent conversation between ourselves and the Welsh Government and Westminster.

“Will be bring in a budget? Yes. We always do, we have a legal duty to do so. The outcome of that budget if we don’t have support will be devastating.

“With regards to reserves, yes, we are looking to use some reserves if we have to. But remember, reserves are just a one off. Once you’ve spent them you can’t go back, they’ve gone. It is not pleasant, and very uncomfortable. I know what we’re facing, it’s not good.”

Cllr David A Bithell pointed to PM Sunak’s forthcoming financial statement: “I think everybody’s waiting to see what’s going to happen. Everybody clearly worried about the financial situation.

“Hopefully, we have a better settlement than what’s expected but we have to plan for the worst as well.”

Cllr Pritchard then aimed fire at Welsh Government, stating: “I believe it is all about political choices, they have a decision to make on where they want to spend the money, and whether they want to work with local authorities across Wales and support us.

“It is sheer madness in this extremely difficult time for all local authorities that the Welsh Government is progressing, and proposing to spend £32.5 million pound on 20 mile an hour zones across this country, sheer madness. That money should go into public services.

“There is a time and a place for everything but now is not the time.

“They are looking to increase the number of MSs, why spend money now on increasing the numbers – and the number of the support staff – it is estimated it could be between £12 and £20 million pounds, depending on the numbers.

“They have brought in CJCs, another bureaucracy between ourselves and the Welsh Government.

“I talked about choices and ministers have told us in these meetings they value the local authorities, well if you’re spending money in other areas, and not giving it to local authorities, I don’t believe that’s the case.

“I dread to think we could end up if the money isn’t forthcoming.

“David has pointed to announcements on the 17th. I hope there’s some common sense there as well, for this announcement to protect public services, not just across Wales across the United Kingdom.

“Because otherwise what is coming up is something we’ve never had to deal with before. Never.”