Council approves budget with spending of £524.6 million. Taxpayers will see an 8.9% council tax raise.
The ruling group initially wanted a 9.75% tax rise, but lowered it to 8.9% on February 26, ensuring a balanced budget. Labour councillors blamed the administration, citing overspending by schools as the cause of problems. They believe council tax is 3.5% higher because of this.
Plaid stated UK Labour’s policies also raised taxes, noting the increase in employer national insurance as a factor that forced the council tax increase. The council gets £25 million more from the government, a 4.1% increase compared to last year, but rising costs still demand higher tax and some fees.
Cllr Alun Lenny said £25 million is not enough to maintain services at an “acceptable level.” He emphasized the need to set a legal budget and noted that proposed fees for car parks and public toilets were dropped after public feedback.
Cllr Linda Evans said they have made cuts most years since 2008, blaming under-investment by the central government. She stated that no one wants cuts or to raise taxes, but they have no other choice.
Cllr Kevin Madge stated Labour helped the council and that the Welsh Government also benefits from Labour’s increased funding to the Welsh Government which, in turn, helps councils. He called school overspending “unacceptable” and thinks the administration failed to control it, stating that budgets would be better if they did.
Cllr Martyn Palfreman called the rise “eyewatering” and said Labour has ideas to change things. The believe it would cost less if Labour was in charge.
Cllr Alex Evans suggested Labour share ideas with the ruling group and said national changes since last year were negative. Cllr Michael Thomas said Plaid avoids blame and accused them of mismanaging school budgets, noting that small schools cost more, and most are in Plaid areas.
Cllr Deryk Cundy stated Labour could not present ideas and wants more AI and better project buying. Cllr Hazel Evans stated Labour’s insurance costs hurt growth and the tax rise would be lower without them.
Cllr Gareth John hoped for agreement on problems and said the opposition just blamed them. He points out that local councils need 7.5% more funding to maintain current services, and Carmarthenshire gets only 4.1% more.
Cllr Darren Price detailed real consequences to this gap: The council must close an £18 million hole, by cutting services or raising taxes. Not raising tax means £8.5 million in extra cuts. He asked Labour about their ideas.
Cllr Price accused Cllr Cundy of lying when he said they had no chance to share suggestions. He stated there were meetings last July, December, and last Friday where Labour could have proposed a change.
Cllr Cundy said meeting topics were limited and that Labour shared ideas with other members. The tax comes into force in April, and a band D household will pay £1,745.43, with Dyfed-Powys Police and community fees as separate additions.