Carmarthenshire Council has agreed how it will spend £450.3 million on day-to-day services in the coming financial year, amid a warning that a staff pay offer has "blown a hole" in the budget. Cllr Alun Lenny, cabinet member for resources, said the timing of the publication of the national pay offer just last week was "shocking" because councils were on the cusp of setting their budgets.
He said the offer - made by an employer group representing councils in Wales, England and Northern Ireland - would add an extra £3 million to Carmarthenshire Council's 2023-24 budget. The authority is already facing severe inflationary pressures, which means that it would cost £30.3 million more next year to do the same things as this year.
Members of full council have now agreed to spend £450.3 million in 2023-24 - nearly £35 million more then currently - while saving £8 million at the same time. The council is receiving an additional £15.5 million from the Welsh Government but will also raise council tax by 6.8% - meaning a Band D council taxpayer will pay £1,490.97p. But this doesn't include the Dyfed-Powys Police precept, which is going up by 7.75%.
