Pressure on councillors to approve record 16pc tax rise

FAMILIES in a Welsh county are facing the UK’S highest council tax increase of more than 16 per cent.

Pembrokeshire, which is run by a coalition of Labour, Liberal Democrats and Plaid Cymru, was accused of using “strong-arm” tactics to pressurise councillors into approving the plans.

They will vote on Thursday on a budget including a 16.31 per cent increase in council tax, the highest proposed increase in the country for 202425. It would add more than £200 to the council tax bill of a Band D household and would be the highest increase in Wales since 2000-01.

In England, councils are limited to a council tax rise of five per cent, unless they are effectively bankrupt and get special dispensation from the Government. Birmingham, for example, will increase its council tax by 10 per cent this year and 10 per cent the next.

But none have come close to Pembrokeshire’s 16 per cent rise in one year.

In Labour-run Wales, there is no maximum increase in council tax.

In an email sent to all councillors from the S151 officer (equivalent to a chief financial officer) and the monitoring officer, councillors are told that if they vote against the budget, “it would be unlawful”.

They are told: “Wilfully or recklessly failing to set a budget would be contrary to the principles of public life set out in the constitution – particularly the principle of stewardship, and would undoubtedly bring the council into disrepute; which is a code of conduct issue.”

Elliot Keck, head of campaigns, said: “It is deeply concerning to see councillors receive such intense pressure from council officials who do not have to answer to voters.

“Councillors should feel free to vote according to what they think is right.”

Mike Stoddart, an independent councillor, said: “Trying to strong-arm elected members into approving this massive council tax increase against their better judgment was likely to be counterproductive.”