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Councillor 'disappointed' at proposed 7% council tax rise


January 21, 2020 - 1739 views

A local councillor has expressed her disappointment at yesterday's vote to hit Conwy residents with another significant increase in council tax.

Following the meeting of the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committe, the majority of the assembled cabinet voted in favour of imposing a 7% rise in council tax partially to fund a 'less than satisfactory funding settlement' with Welsh Government for 2020/21.

Anne McCaffrey who represents the Allied Independents group said that the proposed 7% rise on top of 9.6% last year was unreasonable and unaffordable. 

The council will meet on March 5th to make the final decision on whether to proceed with the proposed increase.

As it currently stands, Conwy will receive a 3.4% increase in funding from Welsh Government - the second worst settlement in Wales.

Speaking ahead of the meeting Cllr Rowlands said, “I’m disappointed that yet again Conwy and North Wales is not receiving its fair share of funding; four of the lowest five in the settlement are from North Wales  - Ynys Mon, Conwy, Flintshire, Wrexham.

"I’ve been working with the other North Wales leaders to lobby for a fairer distribution of funding, and fully support the WLGA’s call to reinstate the funding floor.”

“Despite this, we are looking to continue prioritising our available funding. Our draft budget shows schools receiving over £3.5m extra and social care services, supporting the most vulnerable in our community, an extra £3m.”