Plans to fund vital social services and support secondary schools despite a poor budget settlement and the recession have today (Tuesday 5 January) been supported by the Board of Powys County Council.
The proposed budget plans for the next four financial years will now be discussed by the full council on Thursday 28 January.
Board Member for Finance, Councillor Gwilym Vaughan said; “A poor financial settlement and massively increasing service pressures have made this budget one of the most challenging in the council’s history.
“We received a one per cent minimum increase from the Welsh Assembly Government but even that funding floor, worth £600,000, came with a clear warning that it should not be used to subsidise council tax.
“Despite the current financial climate we are planning a massive £2.5m investment in social care services, an area where the county is experiencing severe pressure because of its aging population.
“The funds will not be used immediately but will be held in reserve until the Board agrees specific investment plans. Our secondary schools are facing a £2.7m deficit and the Board is planning to provide a package of support for the sector until a modernisation programme can be implemented.
“We are also making provision for a loss of income in planning because of the recession and have set aside an extra £200,000 for street lighting. We will be seeking a detailed report on the various energy efficient options available before committing resources.
“The major investment and response to service pressures does mean a 4.25 per cent increase in council tax which will add an extra £36.25 a year to a Band D property. And, of course police and community council increases will be on top of the county council figure.”
Looking ahead the council is planning budgets for the coming years and will be asking the public for their views on service priorities.
“Board members and senior officers have been asked how they would respond to a variety of option between now and 2014. The options vary from budgets being frozen every year to 2014 to budgets being cut by up to four per cent per year over the same period.
“The options produced will be rigorously scrutinised between April and June next year including considerable public consultation so that views can be considered as part of next year’s budget discussions before being implemented in April 2011,” added Councillor Vaughan.
