RESIDENTS in Denbighshire are set to see their council tax increase by 6%. Denbighshire County Council’s cabinet agreed a proposal to increase council tax by 5.29% for council services with an additional 0.71% for the increase in the levy to the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, equating to a 6% rise, at a meeting today Ruthin today.
This equates to an average increase of £100.73 per annum for a band D household, bringing the amount to £1,779.48 a year.
Denbighshire’s lead member for finance Cllr Gwyneth Ellis said: “The process of setting a balanced budget has been a challenge this year as it was last year.
“Throughout this year we have warned you this is going to be a difficult process and that the financial situation is challenging to say the very least for the council, as it is for other councils across the UK. It is important to know our financial situation is not unique.”
She went on to say that the council had received more funding from Welsh Government than expected, a 4.6% rise, which had improved the council’s previously forecasted position.
But Cllr Ellis said the percentage increase from the Welsh Government’s local Government Settlement wasn’t enough on its own to balance the books and deliver services, hence the 6% rise. “The biggest contribution comes from the increase in funding from Welsh Government. That’s £14.4m,” said Cllr Ellis.
“We were expecting nothing, but we’ve had £14.4m extra from Welsh Government, which means we still have a shortfall of nearly £10m, so the remainder has got to come through savings and an increase in the council tax.”
She added: “I’m very aware, of course, that any increase in council tax, especially a 6% increase, will be difficult for the residents of Denbighshire, but it is also important to remember that the discounted scheme for the most vulnerable (will mean) the most vulnerable will not have to pay this additional charge.” A final decision will be made at full council on Thursday (February 20).
