Newport Council passes budget with 6.7% tax rise approved. Investment in services vs taxpayer costs fuels debate.
Newport Council passes budget with 6.7% tax rise approved. Investment in services vs taxpayer costs fuels debate.
Newport Council Approves Budget After Council Tax Increase Debate
Council Leader Dimitri Batrouni leads the Labour group. He said the budget delivers to Newport residents. Library and community center closures are now off. The Newport Matters newsletter will stay.
New investments came through extra funding. Labour colleagues in Westminster and Cardiff Bay granted it. Street lights can switch back on, some public toilets will reopen, and roads can get fixed, he told councillors.
Conservatives dislike the 6.7% council tax increase. Matthew Evans said residents pay more for less. Central government gives most of the council’s money. Council tax and service fees cover the remainder.
Batrouni states Newport grew the fastest in Wales. This status pressures services for the young and old. The budget increases school, social services, and homeless funds. He calls it the best budget in years.
Evans stated improvements are welcome. He noted Labour previously cut services and ignored feedback on the draft budget. Most felt the tax hike was excessive.
A 6.7% increase means Band D properties pay £100 more. The council claims most face less as they are in lower bands.
Conservative Will Routley mentioned increased employer obligations and pensioner support cuts. He claimed people can’t pay the extra tax.
Labour members defended council tax. They blamed past Conservative austerity. John Reynolds stated Tories cut funds and said they would “put some of the wrongs right.”
He said the tax rise is about £1.70 a week. “It’s not even a cup of tea,” he added.
Labour’s Deb Davies called the increase affordable. Newport offers a council tax relief scheme that supports residents in need.
Conservative David Fouweather opposed the tax increase, urging better resource allocation. Batrouni said smaller tax rises equal huge savings needs.
The councillors passed the budget by a majority vote.
Council Leader Dimitri Batrouni leads the Labour group. He said the budget delivers to Newport residents. Library and community center closures are now off. The Newport Matters newsletter will stay.
New investments came through extra funding. Labour colleagues in Westminster and Cardiff Bay granted it. Street lights can switch back on, some public toilets will reopen, and roads can get fixed, he told councillors.
Conservatives dislike the 6.7% council tax increase. Matthew Evans said residents pay more for less. Central government gives most of the council’s money. Council tax and service fees cover the remainder.
Batrouni states Newport grew the fastest in Wales. This status pressures services for the young and old. The budget increases school, social services, and homeless funds. He calls it the best budget in years.
Evans stated improvements are welcome. He noted Labour previously cut services and ignored feedback on the draft budget. Most felt the tax hike was excessive.
A 6.7% increase means Band D properties pay £100 more. The council claims most face less as they are in lower bands.
Conservative Will Routley mentioned increased employer obligations and pensioner support cuts. He claimed people can’t pay the extra tax.
Labour members defended council tax. They blamed past Conservative austerity. John Reynolds stated Tories cut funds and said they would “put some of the wrongs right.”
He said the tax rise is about £1.70 a week. “It’s not even a cup of tea,” he added.
Labour’s Deb Davies called the increase affordable. Newport offers a council tax relief scheme that supports residents in need.
Conservative David Fouweather opposed the tax increase, urging better resource allocation. Batrouni said smaller tax rises equal huge savings needs.
The councillors passed the budget by a majority vote.