Neath Port Talbot Council has pledged to do everything possible to balance its budget by reducing costs whilst investing in priority services and protecting front line services and jobs for the next 3 years.
Reports being presented to the Cabinet on July 6th show how the workforce strategy has helped to deliver savings to balance the books for the current financial year.
In addition to closing the funding gap of £7.9million, £59million has also been invested during the past year in projects such as children and adult social services, disabled facility improvements, Dŵr y Felin School and housing renewal schemes across the county borough.
Council Leader Ali Thomas said: “Our forward financial plan is a rolling programme which we constantly monitor and update. We are well into the third year of this plan and have already delivered £24million in savings through prudent planning and good housekeeping.
“We wouldn’t be in this position were it not for the commitment of councillors, staff and trade unions working together through these difficult times.
“In addition, provided the Welsh Government’s settlement projections remain the same, then we can aim for no compulsory redundancies for the next 3 years.”
Councillor Thomas added: “Because of this planning, we are also aiming for next year’s council tax increase to be below the Welsh average, well below inflation and one of our lowest ever.
But this is not a time to be complacent. We all recognise there are still challenging times ahead as we seek solutions to further reducing costs to counteract inflationary pressures such as energy costs which are outside our control.”
