MONEY previously earmarked for schools will now support adult social care resulting in a call from the opposition for the council executive to be ‘clearer with the public.’

Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Ceredig Davies said he might be called cynical but he had asked at the time Ceredigion County Council set its budget what would happen to the two per cent council tax rise “sold on that it was going to education” if government funding arrived.

The council tax increase – generating around £650,000 – was to cover teacher pay rises and pension costs, which were not fully covered by government support at the time the budget was agreed earlier this year.

That money has since arrived and “we will use that fund in order to support the work of the social services department only for this year,” said council leader Cllr Ellen ap Gwynn.

“Transformation” and restructuring continues in the department that has significant budget savings to mistake, she added.

Cllr Davies said he agreed that the money was going to a “good cause” but added: "It could be said that you misled the people out there by saying it’s going to education and it’s not.”

Cllr ap Gwynn replied that she did not have a “crystal ball” and there had been no assurances at the time that funding would be provided, with future increases also expected.

“Our financial situation is not a stable one but as it happens the money happens to be available to support social services in this aspect while they go through the restructuring process,” she added.

A report to cabinet states that the adult services needed to identify £1.5million in the 2019/20 budget, with a recent £500,000 Welsh Government fund leaving a £1milion gap.

“It is recommended that funding of £1m for 2019/20 only is made available to adult services to alleviate this significant situation,” adds the report, approved by cabinet on September 24.