Councillors on Plaid Cymru-led Caerphilly County Borough Council have pledged to freeze council tax for the next two years.
Councillor Lindsay Whittle, Plaid leader of the council, said: “Council tax is one of the largest items on people’s household budgets and Plaid is very conscious that many people have had their pay frozen or reduced.
“We did not want to increase their burden further and, therefore, have decided to make it our ambition for no increase in council tax for the next 12 months with the aim of continuing that for a further year.”
Cllr Colin Mann, deputy leader and cabinet member for finance, said: “The people of the county borough will be aware that we have ensured that councillors’ allowances have not been increased since 2008 when Plaid took control from Labour. We have been very prudent and that is paying dividends.
“I’d also like to pay tribute to the commitment and dedication of our staff during these very difficult economic times and the work and professionalism of our senior officers.”
For 2010-11, Caerphilly Council raised council tax by 2.9%.
The Welsh Assembly Government’s revenue support grant to the authority for the next financial year represents a cut of 1.7% with an increase of 0.68% in 2012-13 and 1.4% in 2013-14.
A report on the budget proposals will go to the council’s cabinet on Friday, January 14.
Some of the £12m savings made by the council so far include:
- £500,000 from The closure of the rented council offices at Hawtin Park, Pontllanfraith.
- £245,000 from a senior management shake-up, including the scrapping a director’s post.
- £240,000 cut from the communications and marketing budget.
- £180,000 from a management reshuffle in the Parks department.
- £144,000 from Social services premises efficiencies and deletion of assistant director’s post.
- School transport contract savings of £130,000.