Plaid Cymru-led Caerphilly council has revealed plans to fund jobs for up to 100 apprentices and trainees over the next three years.
They will use part of a surplus of £485,000 originally set aside for salaries to meet the cost of the scheme which was revealed as the council approved a zero council tax increase for 2011-12.
Councillor Allan Pritchard, Cabinet Member responsible for Human Resources, Legal, Policy and Governance, said: “We are very aware of the critical issue of the total lack of opportunities for ever-growing numbers of our young people. It is becoming more acute by the day with rising unemployment.
“As well as protecting our existing staff, we are confident that we can fund up to 100 apprentices and trainees over the next three years. We believe as an administration it is our duty to help the young people of our communities who are after all the future.”
Councillor Colin Mann, Cabinet Member for Corporate Finance, Procurement & Sustainability, stressed that the council were also aiming to hold the rate of council tax in 2012-13.
“Unitary authorities in Wales date from re-organisation in 1995. This is the first time in the history of Welsh unitary authorities that any council has not raised the council tax precept.”
Among other highlights of Plaid’s plans are:
- A £43 million capital programme over three years
- £750k extra investment in Social Services
- Over £500,000 for Library/Resource Centres at Bargoed, Risca and Caerphilly
- No compulsory redundancies and no wage cuts as at Labour councils in Rhondda Cynon TafNeath Port Talbot.
- £10 million to schools – to kickstart the council’s 21st Century schools programme
- Extra £1m into highways to address ravages of last winter
- Paypoint – will shortly be possible for residents to pay their council bills in more than 40 Post Offices, meaning a more secure future for Post Offices
