RESIDENTS across Caerphilly county borough could see a 1.9% increase in council tax for 2022/23, instead of the 2.5% increase that was originally planned.

Caerphilly Council’s Cabinet met today (Wed 23 February) to finalise the new budget and unanimously agreed to reconsider the council tax increase following feedback from the public. A final decision will be taken at full Council tomorrow.

Cllr Eluned Stenner, Cabinet Member for Finance said:

“The original draft budget proposals included an increase of 2.5%, which is well below the rate of inflation and the lowest increase for a number of years.

“However, we have listened to the community and are conscious of the significant pressures on household budgets, so the final budget proposals now include a lower proposed increase in council tax increase of 1.9%. This equates to a 45p weekly increase for a Band D property”

Some of the headline figures included within the budget proposals include:

£9.6million pounds of new investment for key services;

£5.7million pounds of this will be targeted specifically at social care services – including a pledge to pay the Real Living Wage;

£250k for a new CCBC apprenticeship schemeInvestment in public protection services to increase capacity in key teams such as trading standards, enforcement and environmental health;

New investment in additional weed control measures;

Additional investment in the Community Safety Warden service to help keep our communities safe; and

£235k to help target flood prevention and protect vulnerable communities.

Leader of Council, Cllr Philippa Marsden said:

“This year we have worked hard to create a balanced budget that protects our key services and shields the community from cuts thanks to our prudent approach.”

“In addition to this, we are also making significant investment in a number of key areas that will deliver huge benefits – particularly the £5.7 million pounds of investment in social care to protect and safeguard our most vulnerable residents.

“This is a budget I’m very proud of and is another excellent example of what we can achieve by working together as Team Caerphilly,” she added.