Newport City Council has today supported a budget that puts education, support for our most vulnerable residents, communities, and creating a council fit for the 21st Century at its heart.
At the full Council meeting, it was also agreed that council tax would rise by 3.95 per cent. Based on a Band D property, that’s an increase of only eight pence a day.
Councillor Matthew Evans, leader of the council, said: “Our priority is to deliver services in the best way possible and to protect our most vulnerable residents and frontline services.
“The proposal to raise council tax, coupled with the ongoing improvements, will help us ensure a robust budget and safeguard the services most important to our residents.
“Newport will continue to offer one of the lowest council tax rates in the UK as well as driving forward some considerable improvements to services.”
At the council’s Cabinet meeting on 16 February, cabinet members considered a number of proposals that could be funded within this year’s budget. They prioritised the options that would most benefit our communities, young people, local business and vulnerable residents:
Extra money for schools
Within the budget, schools were already one of only a few areas to receive a real cash increase. Councillors recognised that this was a very important area and committed a further £500,000 to ensure that education in Newport remains among the best in Wales and that our young people are given the best possible start in life.
Leisure maintenance
An additional £50,000 was committed to the leisure premises maintenance budget. Newport boasts some excellent facilities and this money will ensure that they are well maintained and that residents are encouraged and supported to live a healthy and active lifestyle.
Support for small businesses
An additional £20,000 has been allocated to support small businesses. This will be via a grants scheme.
Supporting the city centre
Our Christmas free parking initiative proved very popular and supported city centre businesses. £50,000 has been set aside for similar promotional schemes that will encourage footfall in the city centre throughout the year.
Ward allowances and Community skips
Ward allowances, money that each ward councillor can give to projects in their area, were maintained at their current rate. Councillors will be able to decide how to use the allowances on projects in their area including community skips.
Other key proposals within the budget include:
Better day activities for vulnerable adults
Newport Council is transforming day activities for vulnerable people, making them more user-focussed and fit for the 21st Century.
Our customers have a wide range of needs and we are looking how we can best support these people. We want to create a much wider range of opportunities and dispel the opinion that day activities can only take place inside a centre. We want to work with our users, discuss what they need and want, and provide that tailored support.
We will ensure that nobody is left without an appropriate level of support and care.
A new meals on wheels service
A new meals on wheels service will provide users with an improved service offering more choice and flexibility.
We appreciate that personal contact is very important and a key feature of any proposal would be to maintain if not improve the level of support.
We will also continue to work and actively engage with volunteers and hope they will remain an important part of the support we provide to our vulnerable residents.
We will ensure that nobody is left without an appropriate level of support and care.
Improved contact for looked after children with their families
By creating a facility for the purpose of contact between looked after children and their families, this important support service will be improved.
Investment in energy saving schemes
Energy saving schemes such as voltage regulation and low energy lighting at Newport Centre, pools and Velodrome will help us achieve ongoing cost savings and operate in a greener way.
Investment in telecare technology
New technologies will help support independence and allow older people to stay in their own homes.
Over recent months the council has carried out extensive work to look at the way we deliver services and ensure they are fit for the future.
Councillor Evans added: “Newport, like all local authorities, is operating in difficult economic conditions. We are facing one of the toughest budgets we have ever seen, needing to save £9m next year.
“We also know that the next few years are going to be extremely challenging and the pressure on our budgets will be huge. It is vital that we plan ahead wisely to ensure a balanced budget and not rely on our reserve funds.
“The sheer scale of the cuts required means that we have to consider all options. This will reluctantly include staffing posts.
“The council’s priority remains, where possible, to protect staff and we will aim to do this through not filling vacant positions, redeployment or retraining where appropriate. However, we cannot rule out compulsory redundancies.”
Detailed reports on all proposals will be prepared and will follow the council’s formal decision making process including appropriate consultation.
