Sam Rowlands, Member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales is urging Welsh Government to take radical action to keep council tax increases as low as possible.
Mr Rowlands proposals include councils being required to seek the consent of local ratepayers for excessive council tax increases by a local referendum, and better use of local government reserves, currently sitting at £2.75 billion across Wales.
He said:
“I really can’t believe what I am hearing about the possible eye watering tax hikes in my constituency of North Wales and I am extremely concerned for my constituents.
“In Conwy where the council is struggling to make ends meet the figure of 16% has been mentioned, and in Denbighshire 9.34% has been approved by the council.
“How does the Welsh Labour Government expect our hardworking public to find the extra money.
“The council tax rises we are seeing put forward in Wales are going to put a huge amount of stress on people.
“Councils go above and beyond to deliver for residents, but at a time when household budgets are stretched as a result of global pressures, people across Wales must be protected from massive council tax rises.
“The Welsh Government should properly fund councils and require councils to hold a referendum if they want to implement excessive council tax hikes.”
