Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today

Caerphilly County Borough Council estimates it will have to make more than £21 million of savings in its budget for next year, if it is to balance the books.

In its draft budget proposals, it has suggested sweeping cuts, reshuffles and a council tax increase to achieve this, but warns another £16.8 million will still have to be saved over the next two years.

Why is Caerphilly County Borough Council facing a budget gap?

Simply put, the cost of providing many services has risen more quickly than any increases in central government grants, which account for most of the council’s funding.

The council has not shied away from talking about the multimillion-pound budget gap it faces, and has already warned that 2025 will be another year for “difficult decisions” on spending.

It has hired outside consultants – at a considerable cost – to help develop a “transformation agenda” the council hopes will identify unnecessary spending and find ways to streamline its operations while keeping key services running.

That agenda has helped find £5.3 million of savings for the coming year, a new report shows.

But aspects of the strategy have proved controversial because of various cuts, reductions or mothballing plans in spending areas not deemed essential.

How is the council funded?

Three-quarters of the council’s spending money comes from the annual Welsh Government settlement, which is in turn provided by the UK Government’s Treasury.

A 4.6% increase is expected in the amount of money Caerphilly Council receives this year, working out as an extra £16.1 million.

The council also raises money by charging fees for various services, and by collecting council tax.

This year it has proposed a 7.9% increase in bills for taxpayers.

How will the council tackle its funding gap?

As well as the “transformation agenda”, the increase in Welsh Government settlement funding, and a council tax rise, the council is also proposing a series of savings measures and cuts to help address its budget gap.

The council’s Community Safety Warden scheme could be axed, with seven jobs at risk.

Around a dozen other council roles could also be removed – some of these posts will already be vacant, and the remainder are not reportedly subject to compulsory redundancies.

Removing the council’s bus subsidy could save at least £197,000 but could also put the futures of several bus routes around Caerphilly town in jeopardy.

Nine school crossing patrols could be scrapped because they “no longer” meet national assessment criteria.

Several cleaning operations could be scaled back or cut, including gullies and bypasses, and the cleaning of council windows and buildings.

Residents’ parking permits could go up in price from £15 to £25, and prices at council car parks could also be increased.

Charges for the Caerphilly Adventures and Positive Futures schemes are expected to rise by 20%.

Bowls clubs, which were previously told they might have to fork out £15,000 in annual maintenance fees, are now expected to pay 25% of that sum each year.

The campsite at Parc Cwm Darran could “transition to a new delivery model” but is expected to remain open in the interim.

The mothballed Winding House museum is likely to stay closed, however, pending a possible Community Asset Transfer.

Proposed changes to the council’s school transport policy are yet to be decided outside of the budget-setting process, but if the scheme is scaled back in September it could also bring six-figure savings for the local authority.

In social services, savings of £3.1 million have been put forward, but this is largely because budgets would be revised to reflect ongoing difficulties in recruiting enough carers.

Even with these cuts and reforms, however, the council will also have to dip into its reserves for £4.3 million “as a one-off measure”.

It has also proposed that any 2024/25 underspends from departmental budgets should be returned to the council’s general fund.

What happens next?

Cabinet members will meet on January 16 to discuss the draft budget proposals and launch a public consultation on the plans.

Councillors will also have their say on the proposals over the coming weeks.

The council will then take on the feedback it receives before drawing up its final budget proposals for 2025/26.