Vale of Glamorgan Council has approved a new budget that will see significant investment in schools, housing, roads and public services over the coming years.
The spending plans were agreed during a meeting of all councillors on Monday night, setting out how money will be allocated across a range of key services.
Over the next five years, the council will spend a total of £0.5 billion on developments across the Vale. The investment includes more than £55 million for new schools, with a further £29 million planned for future education projects, alongside £10 million to improve existing school facilities.
Funding has also been allocated to support housing, infrastructure and community improvements across the area.
Plans include £4.6 million for specialist accommodation for older people, £11 million for highway improvements and £1 million to upgrade street lighting.
A further £281 million will be invested in a housing improvement programme, which includes the construction of new council homes to help meet growing demand for affordable properties.
Barry waterfront is also set to benefit from investment, with £21.2 million allocated through Pride in Place funding for a business development unit, a watersports centre, housing and a park at the Mole.
Cllr Lis Burnett, Leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, said:
“Vale residents have told us what’s important to them through the recent budget consultation and we have prioritised those areas in our spending plans.
“In addition to money already allocated to meet existing schools’ costs, £2 million has been committed to further support schools.
“St Richard Gwyn High School is one of the latest to receive a multi-million-pound school building as it becomes the fourth and final secondary school in Barry to have a brand new home. Many other schools across the Vale have also been significantly improved, offering pupils state of the art facilities, ultra-modern learning spaces and the very best platform for success.
“There will be investment to support children with Additional Learning Needs and money to meet the growing demand for adult and children’s social services.
“As a result of last night’s decision there will be over half a million pounds to increase support for youth services and another half a million to improve rural public transport, ensuring young people have access to activities, advice and opportunities whilst also delivering increased public transport options to improve connectivity for those living in the Western Vale.
“The additional funding will help expand the reach of the Youth Service, providing early support, wellbeing activities and safe spaces where young people can build confidence and resilience. This will include greater engagement with schools, more after-school opportunities and additional support for youth clubs across the Vale, particularly in communities where that support is needed most.
“People also wanted to see highway improvements so we have allocated money for a programme of work that will fill potholes, resurface roads and repair pavements alongside a focus on increased town centre cleaning and maintenance.
“Street lighting will be improved and funds used to enhance public buildings, with Penarth Pier and Barry Town Hall and Library among those first on the list.
“More Council homes will also be built to meet soaring demand for these types of properties and money spent on outdoor spaces, coastal resorts and leisure centres as well as initiatives to make the Vale cleaner and greener.”
The council’s revenue budget for the next financial year totals £355 million. Most of this funding comes from the Welsh Government financial settlement, along with council tax contributions and a share of business rates collected across Wales.
The revenue budget funds the day to day running of council services, including schools, education support, adult and children’s social care, housing and homelessness services, highway maintenance, waste and recycling, and the upkeep of parks and public spaces.
Around 70% of the council’s budget is spent on social care and education, which are among the services local authorities are legally required to provide and areas residents have said should remain a priority.
The council says rising demand for social care and the increasing number of children with Additional Learning Needs requiring specialist provision have significantly increased costs in recent years.
Delivering services has also been challenging due to reduced real terms funding over the last decade, alongside rising inflation, higher interest rates and growing demand for tailored support.
However, the council says the financial outlook for 2026 to 2027 has improved following a better than expected settlement from the Welsh Government.
Last year the authority made around £7 million in savings in order to remain within budget.
The approved budget also includes a council tax increase of 6.5%. This is made up of a 5.5% increase for the main budget and a further 1% increase.
The additional 1 per cent will generate £535,000 for rural public transport and another £535,000 to support youth services.
Overall, the increase means a Band D property will pay an extra £2.07 per week.
