Council wants to hear your views on 2020 budget

The council wants to hear your views on this year’s budget – and potential council tax rises – this month.

Proposals for funding, cost cutting and budget pressures for the financial year 2020-21 have been set out by cabinet with a final decision to be taken by the full council in February.

Over the last six years a £90million funding gap has had to be bridged with £68.7million of cost reductions and efficiencies going towards that, along with £20million in increase council tax income.

Before Christmas it was announced that the Welsh Government Aggregate External Finance grant was higher than expected at 4.9 per cent – an extra £8.051million compared to last year, when adjusted for transfers into the settlement – the third highest increase in Wales.

It leaves a projected funding gap of £6.2m for the 2020-21 budget.

Proposals include flat-line service budgets with some services receiving additional funding to offset inflationary, demographic and legislative pressures or to tackle particular issues they are facing.

Council tax rises are proposed, ranging from 2.5 per cent to 10 per cent, with a cabinet recommendation of a 5 per cent rise.

Two Facebook live events are planned, the first tonight (Wednesday, January 8) at 7pm and a second on Monday, January 20, 7pm.

A public meeting will be held at County Hall on Wednesday, January 22 at 2pm.

Consultation responses can be made online at pembrokshire.gov.uk or you can print a copy to return via email to surveys@pembrokeshire.gov.uk or post to: Pembrokeshire County Council, Policy, 2D County Hall, Haverfordwest, SA61 1TP.

The closing date for responses is Monday, January 27.