£292m funding boost for council if draft budget proposals go ahead

Caerphilly County Borough Council is in line to receive £292 million as part of Welsh Government’s draft budget proposals for 2021/22.

The draft budget was unveiled by Welsh Government’s Finance Minister, Rebecca Evans, on Monday (December 21).

It is set to come into force at the beginning of the next financial year, which starts in April 2021.

All 22 local authorities in Wales look set to receive extra funding.

Newport Council is in line for the largest increase, at 5.6%. Ceredigion Council will see the smallest rise, with a funding increase of 2%.

Caerphilly County Borough Council will see its funding upped by 3.1%.

Councillor Philippa Marsden, leader of the council, welcomed the funding and said it will help “protect our key services”.

Cllr Marsden said: “It is important to stress that the settlement does not include any additional funding to help with the significant ongoing additional costs and income losses associated with the coronavirus pandemic.

“We will continue to work closely with Welsh Government to ensure that sufficient funding is provided to help us manage the ongoing unprecedented financial pressures facing local government as a result of the pandemic.

“I would also like to assure residents that we will continue to work hard to protect services and support the whole community through these difficult and uncertain times.”

A previous version of this article incorrectly stated Caerphilly Council would get £292m in extra funding, rather than total funding from the Welsh Government.