Funding for schools and social care in Caerphilly and the Rhymney Valley has been protected in the Welsh Government’s provisional budget for councils.
In total, Caerphilly County Borough Council will be allocated £254,397,000 for 2012-13, an increase of 1.4% on this year’s settlement. Nationally, local authorities will receive more than £4 billion through the Revenue Support Grant.
Local Labour AM Jeff Cuthbert said it was important that Caerphilly was forensic in making sure the most vulnerable households are prioritised and that no public money goes to waste.
Jeff Cuthbert AM “At a time when communities across Caerphilly and the Rhymney Valley are being hit by the savage cuts implemented by the Tory-led Coalition Government, Labour is doing all it can to protect those most vulnerable in society.
“That is why we have decided to protect social care as there is considerable pressure on services during these difficult times.
“Labour wants to make sure children are given the best possible opportunity to flourish and reach their potential and that is why funding inside the settlement for schools will increase by £80 million over a four year period.”
Labour’s Local Government Minister Carl Sargeant said: “Despite the budget reductions imposed on Wales by the UK Government, protecting schools and social care continue to be top priorities for the Welsh Government.
“Both these services are, in the main, delivered by local authorities and the local government settlement for the coming years reflects this.”