No alternative budget on the table
Councillor Rosemarie Harris, Leader of the Independent Group, and Councillor Aled Davies, Leader of the Conservatives in the Coalition Cabinet, were responding to news reports of an opposition proposal.
News of a combined proposal from the Welsh Liberal Democrat/Green Party Group, Welsh Labour Group, Action For Powys Group and Plaid Cymru was carried in the local media.
Reports said the alternative budget contained plans to cut the Cabinet’s proposed 2021/22 council tax rise of 3.9% to 1.9% ahead of the full County Council meeting next Thursday.
But Councillor Harris said: “The Cabinet has not seen any details of an alternative budget other than in the media. The article I read certainly didn’t reflect a balanced budget in any way.
“We have been working extremely hard to present a balanced budget, faced with some very difficult situations. Keeping the authority running and helping protect our residents during the terrible pandemic has been a priority. I believe the current proposal of 3.9% is the lowest increase in a decade.
“Every effort has been made and we continue to work daily to investigate all ways of keeping the council tax rate to a minimum.”
Councillor Davies, Deputy Leader of the council and Leader of the Welsh Conservative group said: “Following last week’s press statement by the opposition I was expecting to see their alternative budget published today alongside our sound, balanced budget.
“Clearly they have once again run into difficulties in setting a balanced budget, following their multiple failures last year.
“There is only one budget on the table to be considered by the council next Thursday and that is the Independents/Welsh Conservatives’ budget, which see further investment in the care of our residents, both old and young, and continued investment in our schools, while at all times striving to keep the council tax increase as low as possible.”
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