RCT Council Leader Russell Roberts has confirmed that the Provisional Local Government Settlement is by far the worst to hit this Council since 1996.
He has described the Welsh Assembly Government’s approach as ‘responsible and fair’ given the realities of the Coalition Government’s overly-zealous spending cuts, and has warned that potentially ‘very difficult decisions’ lie ahead to bridge the funding gap the Council now faces.
The Provisional Settlement for local government, announced today by the Assembly Government Minister for Social Justice & Local Government, Carl Sargeant AM, sees revenue funding for core services decrease by 1.7%.
When compared to this year’s increase of just 2.5%, this equates to a fall in resources for key services of some £15M.
As worrying for the Council is the fall of 20% in support for capital schemes which will mean less to be spent on our schools, roads and other assets used to provide services.
County Borough Councillor Russell Roberts, Leader of the Council said:“Public Services are under attack from the UK coalition government, and we recognise the Assembly Government has done its upmost to mitigate the impact across Wales, within the much reduced resources it has at its disposal.
“This was never going to be an easy or popular local government settlement and we now face a significant funding gap over the short to medium term and some very difficult decisions will have to be made.
“No one can underestimate the difficulties and challenges the cuts have posed to the Assembly Government. However, this budget demonstrates the importance of devolution as it has allowed the Assembly to act in a more responsible way, offering the best support it can to public services, with a more sympathetic approach to the needs of Wales.
“Unlike the UK Coalition Government, the Assembly recognises the role they play in supporting our communities and have delivered a settlement to local government that appears fair and responsible.
“As a Council we face difficult and unpalatable decisions in the coming weeks as we consider the fine detail of the settlement and how the UK spending cuts will impact on Rhondda Cynon Taf. I am also aware that we will as in the past ensure we act responsibility when setting Council Tax levels.
“Within the limited resources we will have available we will take decisions that will protect as far as possible key services and local jobs.
“These are unprecedented times for local government finances and we will not shy away from difficult decisions which are needed to address the challenges we now sadly face.
“We will not be making any of these decisions out of choice, but as a result of cuts imposed on Wales by the UK Coalition Government.”
