“Joke” 7.5% Council Tax hike is last straw for most vulnerable

The county councillor responsible for providing a voice to those struggling in Powys has described the proposed 7.5% Council Tax increase as “a joke” and has accused the council cabinet of “betraying” its residents.

This Thursday, councillors will vote on proposals for the whopping increase, with the cabinet explaining that is needed to help cope with the rising costs of providing public services.

But Cllr Joy Jones, an Independent who is the county council’s Anti-Poverty Champion, has spoken to MyWelshpool and MyNewtown to voice her concern ahead of the vote, fearing it is a done deal.

“The 7.5% increase, what a joke!” she told us last night.

“This budget has been put forward by a political group who promised the public that, if they were voted in, they would keep council tax low.

“The previous cabinet's budget of a 5% increase was criticised by the Lib Dems (current majority group with Labour) as being too high. Now in power the they want 7.5%, breaking their promise and leaving residents feeling betrayed, let down and angry.

“More and more of the hard-working population are falling into poverty. This, in turn, affects businesses and town centres, as less and less money is spent.

“With the rise in domestic fuel, water, transport and food, people have no money to spend. By the time you have paid the bills and taxes, most households have nothing left. This is having a dramatic impact on people’s wellbeing, mental and physical health.”

Cllr Jones said that the stress from increasing Council Tax is “damaging relationships and families”.

“In addition to the increase of 7.5% proposed, there’s an 11% agreed increase by Newtown Town Council (Welshpool Town Council is 4%) plus increases from both the fire and police services.

“They all get added on to the Council Tax bill and I’m afraid residents are going to see a huge increase in their council tax bill.

“When it is pointed out how badly affected people will be by these increases, the stock answer is that those on low incomes can claim council tax benefit but that does not help those who are on low incomes if they are even a penny above the strict financial limits under which they can claim council tax benefit.

“It seems as the most vulnerable are going to be the most affected.”

Cllr Jones also highlighted areas where cuts to services are being made and said many are “short-sighted”.

“This budget just feels that it is hitting the most vulnerable in our county.”