Council faces slashing £3m from spending over next year
RHONDDA Cynon Taf council has revealed it needs to shave £3m from its spending for next year – but that figure could have been much higher.
The council’s deputy leader Maureen Webber has revealed the local authority was bracing itself for working with a budget £21m less than last year but, after a better-than-expected Welsh Government settlement last month, that figure stands at just below £14m.
After savings already made for 2017-18 and an efficiency target of £6m are deducted, the council estimates its budget gap still left to find is £3m.
Councils will set their 2017-18 budget in the first quarter of next year, and it comes into effect during April 2017.
Coun Webber said: “Following the betterthan-expected provisional settlement from Welsh Government, the initial budget gap we faced for 2017/18 has reduced from over £21m to just under £14m.
“Taking this into account, alongside savings we have already been able to bank for 2017/18 via our prudent approach to the financial challenges we have faced in recent years, as well as the ambitious efficiency target of £6m for next year, the estimated budget gap we still have to find is now less than £3m.
“While this is clearly better than expected, there is still a gap to close.
“Given that the UK Government shows no real sign of relenting on its approach to austerity, it is important we understand our residents’ views on the services we provide and how we allocate our budget.”
Residents will be able to have their say on where they think the coun- cil should save money through a six-week consultation process starting on Monday, November 7 – which includes events at five RCT town centres.
They will be held in Aberdare (November 22, 10am to 2pm), Mountain Ash (November 24, 9am to midday), Pontypridd (November 29, 10am to 2pm), Porth (December 2, 9am to midday) and Tonypandy (December 9, 10am to 2pm).
An online budget simulator, introduced last year so residents can ‘set their own budget’ will make a return in 2016.
Coun Webber added: “After the success of last year’s revised approach to budget consultation, which saw the introduction of an interactive budget simulator and more people take part than in previous years, we will once again be providing residents with lots of ways to have their say.
“This will include social media, town centre events, engagement events, forums and online.
“All the feedback received provides valuable information for cabinet to consider when setting our budget strategy for 2017-18.
“In addition, with our £200m RCTinvest programme now in full flow, we also want residents’ opinions on whether the areas we are investing in, such as leisure, schools, highways, play areas and town centres are the right ones.”
The consultation closes on Monday, December 19.