Council bosses in Bridgend say this year's budget proposals have been the hardest the authority has ever had to put together, ahead of the council's final budget talks at full council, on March 1.
The proposals for the budget come during the current financial crisis which left the authority tasked with finding £2.6 million worth of savings this year, with a further £17 million needing to be found over the next four years. The final budget for 2023-2024, will consist of a gross revenue budget of £485 million, a net budget of £342 million and an additional capital investment programme of £69 million.
After approval at cabinet, council bosses will now prepare for final talks with members, discussing what they describe as a "balanced budget", which includes a 4.9% increase in council tax, along with a 2% cut to school funding in the borough. While an increase in council tax of 6% was originally proposed in the draft budget, this has now been reduced to the new figure of 4.9% following concerns raised from both members and the public in the budget consultation process.
