COUNCIL tax-payers in Pembrokeshire could see bills increase by as much as £123 for the average property for the county council element alone, in proposals before senior councillors next week.
Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet will be considering options for setting the 2026/27 council budget at its meeting to be held on Monday, February 9.
Budget options put forward are a council tax increase of 4.6 per cent, which equates to an increase of £75.99 for the council part of the overall council tax bill for the average Band D property, and 7.5 per cent, for an increase of £123.90.
Last year, Pembrokeshire’s council tax increased by 9.35 per cent, lower than a Cabinet recommendation of 9.85 per cent.
The overall council tax bill is made up of the county council element, the largest part, the Dyfed-Powys Police precept, and individual town or community council elements.
The police part of the council tax bill in Dyfed and Powys is to rise by nearly 7.5 per cent, following a near nine per cent last year, meaning the average Band D household will be paying £390, a rise of £26.95, this coming year for that element alone.
Speaking ahead of the Cabinet meeting, Leader of the Council Cllr Jon Harvey said: “In setting this year’s budget it’s our intention to ask the least possible from tax paying residents while still providing the vital services they rely upon.
“I’m anticipating Cabinet recommending to Council a council tax increase at the lower end of the options range at Monday’s meeting.
“I believe that this is deliverable, whilst protecting services and providing significantly more money, an additional £4.7m for our schools.
“Extra money is also needed for our highway maintenance teams, our building maintenance teams and our street cleaning teams. We know these services are important to residents and so we intend to prioritise them.
“The pandemic and the resulting shocks to the financial system, coupled with increased demands in social care provision brought with it very difficult but unavoidable increases in council tax.
“Going forward, I am very aware we cannot keep asking residents to pay significantly more and it is our intention to get back to council tax increases that are broadly in line with inflation.”
Other recommendations before Cabinet include determining recommended future draft council tax levels, as part of the medium-term financial plan of five per cent for 2027-’28 and 7.5 per cent for 2028-’29.
At time of writing a report for members, no alternative budget proposals have been received, the report for Cabinet says.
The final decision on the council tax increase for the forthcoming financial year will be made by full council, the Cabinet decision taking the form of a recommendation to full council, with the budget meeting currently listed for February 20.
