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Caerphilly County Borough residents could face a council tax increase of 3.9% in 2021/22 – but there would be no new cuts to services in the financial year.
A report on Caerphilly County Borough Council’s proposed budget says the council tax increase will contribute £3 million to a £14.1 million shortfall.
Approved cuts already made ahead of the new tax year in April will make up £2 million, while the Welsh local government settlement (money from the Welsh Government) will contribute the remaining £9 million.
The need for such funding is predominantly down to proposed new investments and general fund pressures, which contribute £8 million to budget pressures. School costs and inflationary costs make up the remaining £6.1 million.
The main contributors to the general fund pressures are social services, accounting for £2.5 million, and education and life long learning, accounting for £1.4 million.
However, the budget acknowledges that the council could be required to find cuts of up to £20.7 million for the four-year period from 2022/23 to 2025/26.
Although the report says “future financial forecasting is very sensitive to even minor changes in assumptions”.
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For example, a 2% increase in Welsh Government funding per year would reduce the cuts from £20.7 million to £8.8 million.
The budget does not include income losses or additional costs due to coronavirus, because it is assumed that this will continue to be funded by the Welsh Government.
The council’s cabinet will decide on Wednesday (January 13) whether to endorse the draft budget and start the consultation period.
The final budget will be presented to cabinet and full council in February.
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 Philippa Marsden (Ynysddu) – Leader
- Cllr Jamie Pritchard (Morgan Jones) – Deputy Leader; Infrastructure, Towns and Property
- Cllr Colin Gordon (Pontllanfraith) – Corporate services
- Cllr Eluned Stenner (New Tredegar) – Customer, Performance and Property Services
- Cllr Ross Whiting (Risca West) – Learning and Leisure
- Cllr Shayne Cook (Morgan Jones) – Social Care
- Cllr Lisa Phipps (Bedwas, Trethomas, Machen) – Housing
- Cllr Nigel George (Risca East) – Waste, Public Protection and Street Scene
- Cllr Andrew Whitcombe (Abercarn) – Sustainability, Planning and Fleet
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.
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