Council predicts low tax rise (From Western Telegraph)

Council predicts low tax rise

Council tax rises in Pembrokeshire could be among the lowest in Wales. This prediction by the leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, Councillor Maurice Hughes, is made despite a significant hike in the authoritys payout to teachers.

But Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Jackie Lawrence argues that a massive increase in funding for local government, announced by the Welsh Assembly this week, will boost the councils coffers by more than 8%.

She says it is up to councillors to set priorities. It will be their decision how much is spent on social service or housing and the money is there to support them, she says.

They will not be able to run to the Assembly cap in hand and blame them if they do not deliver. The money is there and councils and councillors must be called to account if they do not now come up with the goods.

Although Councillor Hughes welcomed the extra funding he dismissed Mrs Lawrences claim that it represented an increase of 8.5% on last year. He points out that the authority is faced with significant increases in expenditure over which it has no control.

He referred to the Western Telegraphs front page story last week on teachers threshold payments together with the pay settlement for teachers and the bus pass scheme for the elderly.

The latter is particularly welcome but again we have to provide the funding to implement Government policy, says Councillor Hughes. Even so, he forecasts that the countys council tax increase for the next financial year is likely to be below the Welsh average.

Pembrokeshire already has one of the lowest rates in the country. This is an achievement we can feel particularly proud of, especially as the authority remains committed to providing and maintaining high quality services, added Councillor Hughes.

l Pembrokeshire County Council could see its salaries bill rise sharply. Nationally, a claim has been submitted for a minimum of £1,750 or 6% annually for every member of staff. It could add nearly 12% to the total pay bill. The National Employers Organisation for Local Government Services says the claim is unrealistic.