Residents of Neath Port Talbot are set to see a 7% rise in council tax as the council seeks to balance its budget amid financial challenges
Neath Port Talbot: The council’s budget proposals for the 2025-26 year are out, and they’re looking to save nearly £15 million. It’s a tough spot, but they’re trying to keep things running smoothly.
They’ve got over 400 public services to manage, and they’re saying it’s a challenging financial time. The plans will be shared with council members on January 10 before going to the public for feedback.
One big change is a proposed 7% increase in council tax for everyone in the borough. They’re also looking at ways to save money and bring in more income.
Some of the ideas include cutting back on local bus support and raising fees for cemeteries. They’re even thinking about dimming street lights at certain times to save cash.
There’s talk of redesigning homeless services to cut down on the need for temporary housing. They’re also planning to reduce the budget for road maintenance, like signs and safety fences.
Despite all this, the report mentions that they’re not planning any major cuts to services or jobs, which is a relief. Some earlier cost-saving ideas, like less frequent waste collections, were shot down after public pushback.
Things got a bit better with a funding boost from the Welsh Government, which gave Neath Port Talbot a 4.4% increase. That’s the 10th highest in Wales, so it’s a step in the right direction.
Cllr Steve Hunt, the council leader, said the funding is a good start, but there’s still a gap between what services cost and what they get funded. He’s keen on getting more support from the Welsh Government.
He also encouraged residents to share their thoughts during consultations to help guide their decisions. A council spokesperson mentioned that tough choices are ahead, but they’re working hard to lessen the impact on taxpayers.
The draft budget will be discussed on January 10, and if it gets the green light, there’ll be a public consultation until January 31. A final decision on the council tax is expected by March 5, 2025.
