Councils across Wales are set to receive budget increases of between 8-12% for 2022-23 under the Welsh Government’s draft local government settlement.
The average budget increase will be 9.4% with no council receiving an increase of less than 8.4%.
“This is a good settlement for local government, one that provides councils with a stable platform to plan their budgets for the coming financial year and beyond.
“We fully recognise the pressures local authorities are facing and will continue to work closely with local government so we can meet the shared challenges we face and deliver services to benefit the people of Wales.”
– Finance Minister, Rebecca Evans (Lab, Gower)
Bridgend County Borough Council is currently set to receive a budget increase of 9.2% in 2022-23 – the equivalent of a £19.6million increase compared to 2021-22, placing it 13th amongst Wales’ 22 local authorities.
Some of the Welsh Government’s funding priorities to be covered by the increase include introducing a living wage for all care workers and accommodating changes to teachers’ pay.
The business rates multiplier has also been frozen, while the draft settlement increase will cover changes to national insurance contributions announced by the UK Government.
Given that 2022 is a local election year, councils will be under pressure to use the better-than-expected settlement to freeze council tax for a year. The decision on whether to do so lies with individual councils and it wouldn’t affect possible changes to community council, policing and fire service precepts.
Neighbouring Neath Port Talbot Council has already provisionally agreed to a freeze, while Bridgend Council’s recent budget consultation found majority support for a freeze.
