The Leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council has unveiled a set of ambitious budget proposals for 2022/23.
Despite having to find around £17million to meet unavoidable inflationary cost pressures the draft budget includes £10million of investment and protects frontline services from cuts as the authority recovers from the ongoing pandemic.
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The council has developed its budget proposals over recent months and these will be considered at a Cabinet meeting next week (Wednesday 19th Jan).
The budget includes a proposed Council Tax increase of 2.5%, which is well below the rate of inflation and the lowest increase for a number of years. It equates to a 59p weekly increase for an average band D property.
Leader of Council, Cllr Philippa Marsden said, “We have created a draft budget that allows us to protect key services, meet the needs of our communities and plots a path for the organisation as we recover from the coronavirus pandemic.”
“We have also set out exciting plans for major investment opportunities totalling £10million, including £6million for social care services to support our most vulnerable residents.”
“This budget really shows that ‘Caerphilly cares’ and we are supporting and protecting the community during these difficult times. It is important that local people have their say on our plans and help shape the budget, so a public consultation will be launched on Wednesday 13th January and I would encourage as many people as possible to have their say.”
Residents will be able to take part and submit feedback in a number of ways. A leaflet is being distributed to every home in the county borough with details of the consultation and how to get involved.
Cllr Eluned Stenner, Cabinet Member for Finance said, “The positive financial settlement from Welsh Government means that the overall picture is looking positive for the next 12 months. That said, there are challenges ahead, including many inescapable cost pressures such as an increase in NI contributions and inflation levels at a10 year high, but our ambitious transformation programme is key to help us remain financially resilient.
“The key message is that we are investing in our community, protecting services and protecting the public from cuts,” she added.
The key features of the budget proposals include:
- Almost £10million investment in services
- £6 million of this will be targeted at social care services – including a pledge to pay the Real Living Wage
- £250k for a new CCBC apprenticeship scheme
- Significant investment in public protection services to increase capacity in key teams such as trading standards, enforcement and environmental health
- Investment in additional weed control measures
- Additional investment in Community Safety Warden service
- £235k to help target flood prevention
The council’s Cabinet will discuss the draft budget report at its meeting on Wednesday 19h January before final budget proposals are considered in February.
