South Wales Fire and Rescue Service considering council tax precept rise

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWRFS) is considering increasing the amount of money it takes from council tax payers in Caerphilly by 11.78%.

Under proposals to be considered by the South Wales Fire Authority on Monday, February 13, next year’s budget (2023/2024) would be £89.37m, a £10.07m rise from this year.

The service covers Caerphilly County Borough as well as nine other local authority areas across south Wales.

Taxpayers in Caerphilly would pay an extra £1,094,387 between them in the new financial year, if the plans are approved.

How much extra would taxpayers from other local authorities be paying?

Blaenau Gwent – 11.44% (from £3.54m in 2022/23 to £3.95m in 2023/24)

Bridgend – 12.97% (£7.54m to £8.52m)

Cardiff – 12.9% (£18.77m to £21.19m)

CAERPHILLY – 11.78% – (£9.28m to £10.38m)

Merthyr Tydfil – 11.85% – (£3.1m to £3.47m)

Monmouthshire – 12.33% (£4.87m to £5.47m)

Newport – 14.56% (£8.06m to £9.24m)

Rhondda Cynon Taf – 12.58% (£12.38m to £13.94m)

Torfaen – 12.67% (£4.8m to £5.4m)

Vale of Glamorgan – 12.44% (£6.91m to £7.77m)

In its report, SWFRS said that in setting its annual budget, the authority has always been
mindful of the resources available to its constituent councils, both from Welsh Government and local taxpayers.

The report also said that pay inflation is the biggest challenge facing the authority in the current and next financial year and that the lack of any certainty represents a financial risk in setting the budget

Uncertainty around pension costs are also highlighted an ongoing concern.

The report said that population changes at council level will be reflected in minor variations from the overall average increase in contributions set by the fire authority.

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Fire service considering council tax precept rise

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