Councils pledge to keep tax low

Local authorities in North Wales say they will try and keep council tax as low as possible after they were handed their budgets for next year.

The Welsh Assembly Government have provided £32 million to try and stop tax rises but it is up to individual councils how they spend that money.

Local Government Minister Carl Sargeant said:

"In terms of council tax, I am providing £32 million within the RSG settlement which is equivalent to the 2.5% the UK Government have allowed for their council tax freeze. 

"Whilst I am providing equivalent funding I will be allowing local authorities to determine themselves whether they wish to use this funding for the purposes of freezing council tax or whether they will spend this on services.

"It will be for each local authority to justify their decision on this to their citizens.

"Local authorities will have many difficult decisions to take. The challenge of delivering good quality services for less money continues."

Wrexham Council face a decrease in funding of -1.2% but say they will keep Council Tax as low as possible although admit some jobs could have to go.

Leader Councillor Aled Roberts, said:

"I recognise it is not an easy settlement but given the work already carried out by officers and members over the past 6 months we will strive to minimise the impact on front line services. 

"We will need to continue to make further efficiencies and change the way in which we deliver some of our services."