Cabinet member bites back to defend “joke” council tax rise

As more councillors make their fierce opposition to Powys County Council’s proposed 7.5% Council Tax rise known, one member of the Lib Dem/Labour-led cabinet has defended the situation on our social media.

Last night, a statement from the Leader of the Conservatives on Powys County Council accused the Lib Dems of broken promises after saying they had used a campaign pledge to keep rises at 5% or lower to take power in Powys in 2022.

A vote will take place on the proposed budget tomorrow (Thursday), and Cllr Aled Davies said: “This steep rise in Council Tax is sadly matched by an equally steep decline in the quality of services the Council now provide, a clear result of the Liberal Democrats skewed priorities. Our residents are confronted with a crisis across the board, from deteriorating roads to an education system under threat.”

But the councillor responsible for education in Powys, Cllr Peter Roberts, responded to our story last night featuring comments made by Powys Anti-Poverty Champion Cllr Joy Jones who said the increases would push more people into poverty. She described the proposed rise as a “joke”.

He defended his party’s budget proposal by explaining on our X account: “The predicted budget gap for this year when we took over in 2022 was £8m, it’s doubled since then due to inflation, wage and energy costs. But our government funding is largely unaltered. The choices are service changes, Council Tax increases, or a 114 notice that results in both.

“There are no easy answers but the council does offer a money advice service that supports local residents by identifying grants and benefits they are due but may have not realised they can claim.”

He also pointed out that the council’s slice of the rise is 6.5% and the fire service is adding a further 1%.

Another political heavyweight joined the debate with Wrexham County Borough Councillor for Ruabon, Cllr Dana Davies, who is also the Leader of Wrexham Council Labour Group & Leader of the Opposition, putting pressure on the two Powys Conservative MPs to intervene.

“Easy answer is for UK Government to properly fund Local Government. You have two Tory MP’s in @craig4monty(Craig Williams) and @jonesyfay (Fay Jones) who ‘could’ make the case for Local Government and ensure monies are distributed as quickly as March 7, given UK Government Budget is March 6!”

But our readers have had their say too, with very few showing sympathy towards the council’s thankless task of trying to balance the books.

Words like “ludicrous” and “disgraceful” are two words that sprung out of the responses with one X contributor asking: “As one of those struggling, where will I find any more money from?”

We’ll report back tomorrow once the Council Tax vote is done at County Hall.