AN MS for North Wales has described a proposed 3.8% Council Tax increase in Denbighshire as an unbelievable achievement in light of sky-high inflation and rocketing costs.
Llyr Gruffydd, of Plaid Cymru, says the proposal compares very favourably to proposed council tax rises in other local authorities across Wales.
The plan, which will go ahead of Denbighshire County Council on Tuesday January 31, has been developed by Plaid Cymru’s Cllr Gwyneth Ellis, the Lead Member for Finance, Performance and Strategic Assets.
This compares with an average increase of 4.35% over the last 4 years.
According to the Consumer Prices Index, inflation rose by 9.2% in the 12 months to December 2022.
Llyr Gruffydd MS said: “Whilst nobody wants to see their council tax go up it’s quite unbelievable that Denbighshire has managed to limit the proposed rise to such an extent. This is to be welcomed and I hope it’s accepted by councillors. This measured and credible proposal will make a real difference to residents who are facing an unprecedented squeeze on their household budgets.
“The proposed rise of 3.8% acknowledges both the extreme financial pressures faced by residents in Denbighshire as well as the need to maintain and strengthen the vital services that they rely upon.
“To do this in the face of a combination of rampant inflation, cuts from Westminster, and economic mismanagement by the Conservative government would be to Denbighshire County Council’s credit.”
Cllr Gwyneth Ellis said: “We have worked hard to put together a budget for the coming year which safeguards services while minimising the impact on households who are having to deal with the current cost of living crisis. The Plaid Cymru members of the cabinet, and our Labour colleagues felt that we had to achieve a balance between maintaining services and keeping council tax as low as possible. The process for setting the budget has been inclusive, with myself and officers meeting with all councillors on numerous occasions to hear different opinions and ideas. During that process, there has been a great deal of agreement, and I hope that the council will approve this budget on Tuesday.”
