
Council tenants are set to pay an extra 2% on their rents after senior councillors approved the move this week.
The increase will equate to an average increase of £1.84 per week, bringing the average rent up to £93.62 a week.
The move was approved by Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet.
What is Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet?
A council’s cabinet is made up of councillors in charge of different policy areas – such as education, environment, local economy, etc – and a leader.
It is separate to the council’s corporate management structure, which is headed up by its chief executive and various directors. Cabinet is made up of councillors, who are elected and have the ultimate say.
Typically, cabinet members are councillors from the party with the most elected council members.
Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet is made up of:
- Cllr Sean Morgan (Nelson) – Leader
- Cllr Jamie Pritchard (Morgan Jones) – Deputy Leader; Prosperity, Regeneration and Climate Change
- Cllr Nigel George (Risca East) – Corporate Services and Property
- Cllr Eluned Stenner (New Tredegar) – Finance and Performance
- Cllr Carol Andrews (Gilfach) – Education and Communities
- Cllr Shayne Cook (Morgan Jones) – Housing
- Cllr Elaine Forehead (Van) – Social Care
- Cllr Philippa Leonard (Risca East) – Planning and Public Protection
- Cllr Chris Morgan (Machen and Rudry) – Waste, Leisure and Green Spaces
Corporate management is made up of unelected employees of the council and has responsibility for day-to-day management of services, such as making sure the bins are collected. Corporate directors work with cabinet members to come up with policy which is then agreed upon by the cabinet.
Last updated October 13, 2023
Cllr Shayne Cook, the council’s Cabinet Member for Social Care and Housing, said: “Ensuring rents remain affordable for our tenants is key and this year’s 2% increase remains below the maximum 3.1% permitted under Welsh Government policy.”
He said an “extensive” consultation had been carried out to gather tenants’ views on the rises, with the “majority” of respondents saying they felt the council’s rents are “fair, affordable and provide value for money”.
He continued: “We understand that any increase in rent will be of concern and assure tenants that we have a range of support available to tenants who find themselves experiencing financial difficulties.
“Rent increases are necessary to enable us to continue delivering housing related services, invest in our housing stock and deliver on our ambitious plans to build new council homes.
“If rents are not increased annually, this could lead to additional borrowing and debt charges; forcing the council to review services.”
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