What do Caerphilly residents think about potential council tax rise?

Caerphilly County Borough councillors are set to vote on plans to increase council tax by 7.9%. The Local Democracy Reporting Service’s Rhiannon James, who is based at Caerphilly Observer, spoke to people in Caerphilly town centre to hear their views on the proposals.

Video from the Local Democracy Reporting Service

Caerphilly County Borough Council is proposing to raise council tax by 7.9% as part of its budget for 2023/24. Here’s what residents think.

Aaron Smith said: “It’s just an extra thing on top for them to get more money out of us and I don’t think it’s right.”

In 2022/23, council tax increased by 1.9%, less than a quarter of the increase proposed this year.

Barbara Thomas said: “It’s a lot, particularly as I wouldn’t say Caerphilly are increasing what they’re doing for the people of Caerphilly. But, I must admit their refuse is good – collection, things like that.”

Glyn Wright said: “I think we’re all too ready to blame the council for not doing things, when sometimes we could actually do a bit more ourselves to help the council.

“So, I’m not totally against it but like everybody else we’re all getting a bit short of money, so nobody wants to see any particular rises with anything at the moment.”

Darren Thomas said: “I can understand the increase to cover the cost-of-living and the wages, but I think everybody is struggling.”

He added: “It’s still really difficult for people. It’s understanding where that money goes and what value for money people are getting.”

Vicky Popadic said: “Services have been cut, nothing has come back, they’re not supplying anything different, I don’t know how they can justify putting it up.

“There will not be very many happy people in Caerphilly, I can tell you that.”

Council leader Sean Morgan said: “It’s important to note that even with a 7.9% council tax increase, Caerphilly will remain one of the very lowest council tax rates in the whole of Wales.”

Final proposals will be presented to cabinet members at a meeting on Wednesday February 22. If approved the budget will be put to full council for a final decision on Thursday February 23.

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}

What do residents think about potential council tax increase?

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