2.5% Council Tax rise is approved
COUNCILLORS have rubberstamped the budget, which will see ratepayers face a 2.5% increase in their yearly bills from April.
During the full council meeting in Llangefni, members unanimously adopted a budget the council says will protect education and keep council tax to its lowest increase in almost a decade.
Anglesey Council leader, Ieuan Williams, said: “Despite facing significant financial pressures, we’ve listened to the public by protecting education and social services to the best of our ability.
“A 2.5% Council Tax increase is the lowest on Anglesey for almost a decade and equates to 51p a week for average Band D property. This will keep Anglesey’s Council Tax amongst the lowest in Wales.”
Facing cuts of £3m, significant increases to school transport fees and cost of school meals had been proposed. But, in adopting the budget, councillors agreed that school meals should only increase by 10p per meal per day and school transport by £10 a year.
A 25% Council Tax premium on long-term empty properties and second homes will also be introduced in April, providing extra funding for affordable housing projects.
The level of premium and the use of the funds generated will be subject to a further review in 12 months time.
An almost half a million pound cut in the education budget has also been deferred for a year, with councillors agreeing to fund the sum from Council reserves.
Headteachers will still be expected to develop a comprehen- sives savings plan for 2018-19 however.e
In the chamber, the leaders of the Plaid Cymru and Labour groups praised the co-operation behind the budget proposals, however there were some reservations.
Cllr Peter Rogers said: “I find that being such an asset-rich authority, struggling in so many areas that we a are, its very disappointing.
“Its taking us too long to react to things and the problem I have is particularly with education.
“There’s no greater time for young people to live on Ynys Mon but that’s going to depend on a decent education and decent qualifications. We have great problems now in funding across the board and something has to be done about it.
“People need to take notice that we preserve education to ensure each child has a good education.”
But Housing and Social Services portfolio holder, Cllr Aled Morris Jones, described the budget as, “the best we can do under difficult circumstances.”