Neath Port Talbot Council has unveiled its draft budget for the 2025/26 financial year and is preparing to seek approval for a public consultation during a council meeting scheduled for 10 January 2025. If granted, the consultation will run until 31 January, giving residents the opportunity to express their views on the council’s plans to deliver over 400 essential public services.
Financial challenges and proposals
Despite significant financial pressures, the council is determined to avoid drastic cuts to services or job losses. Officials have spent months developing proposals to address an anticipated budget shortfall of approximately £15 million for the upcoming financial year.
In October 2024, the Cabinet reviewed potential cost-saving measures, which included:
- Moving to three-weekly waste collections, removing wheelie bins, and introducing charges for green waste (£739,000 savings proposed).
- Reducing street cleansing staff (£379,000 savings proposed).
- Cutting drainage repair teams and the highways maintenance budget (£210,000 savings proposed).
However, these proposals were removed from consideration following public feedback during an engagement exercise conducted last autumn.
Broader economic and social pressures
The council’s financial difficulties are compounded by broader economic and social challenges, including:
- Increased demand for social services and support for young people with Additional Learning Needs (ALN) in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Rising energy prices, inflation, and other economic impacts linked to the Ukraine war.
- The ongoing cost-of-living crisis, which continues to affect residents and local businesses.
While the Welsh Government’s provisional Local Government Settlement provided Neath Port Talbot with a 4.4% funding increase—the tenth-highest allocation in Wales—it remains insufficient to meet existing demands. According to the Welsh Local Government Association, there is an estimated £560 million funding gap across Welsh councils, with only £253 million in additional funding provided.
Council tax increase proposal
The Welsh Government has assumed an average Council Tax increase of 9.3% across Wales. Neath Port Talbot Council, however, is proposing a more modest 7% rise in an effort to balance financial sustainability with affordability for residents. Final decisions on the budget, including the Council Tax rate, will be made during a Full Council meeting on 5 March 2025.
Public participation and access to information
Residents are encouraged to participate in the consultation process to ensure their views are heard. The full draft budget report is available online, providing detailed insights into the council’s financial plans and priorities.
For more information or to share your feedback, visit the Neath Port Talbot Council’s website: Neath Port Talbot Council Budget Report.
