Residents in Blaenau Gwent can expect to see a 4% rise in their council tax bills from April, after a planned increase was announced in the council's draft budget for the 2022-23 financial year.
Following the provisional settlement from Welsh Government, Blaenau Gwent’s budget will increase by 8.4% for 2022-23 providing the council with an extra £10.4 million in funding.
Blaenau Gwent’s draft budget proposals for the 2022-23 financial year will now be considered by council in February, and would see the council budget go up from just over £120.6 million this year to £130.8 million for 2022-23.
The settlement however is a whole percentage point less than the average increase of 9.4%, and is also the lowest increase out of Wales' 22 councils.
You can read more of our stories from Blaenau Gwent here
The increase in council tax will bring in £38.2 million to Blaenau Gwent's coffers and a further £9 million is expected to be generated from fees and charges.
The budget also includes £2.58 million of "reductions" for the coming year, which will be part of around £6.7 million in savings the council needs to make during the next five years.
These reductions will come through a number of reviews, including commercial arrangements with suppliers, identifying how the council can improve how residents access services, and how they manage their property and land portfolio.
Blaenau Gwent council leader Nigel Daniels said he was pleased with the draft budget which shows a commitment to improving services for residents.
He said: "The positive settlement from Welsh Government for next year is welcome news at the end of another challenging year dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.
"As a council we have been focused on forward financial planning over the last few years and in the development of the draft budget for 2022-23.
"I'm pleased the 2022-23 draft budget continues to demonstrate our commitment to improving services for all residents in Blaenau Gwent and building financial resilience for the demands of future years. I am pleased that we have been able to put forward a set of proposals that will see no major service changes as we focus on our key priorities.
"The proposed budget protects vital services and provides helps us plan for a sustainable future as we recover from the demands of dealing with Covid-19."
As 85% of homes in Blaenau Gwent are in Band A or B the council uses these as the council tax yardstick rather than the usual B and D standard.
Using Band D "gives a misleading picture" for the authority. The budget will be out to public consultation until February 14 and is expected to be discussed at a special council meeting on February 17.
To have your say visit https://www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk/en/resident/blaenau-gwents-budget-20222023/
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