This year’s “Shaping Bridgend’s Future” budget consultation is open until January 22nd 2023 – all of the information is available here.
Bridgend Council is anticipating a £20million budget gap for the 2023-24 financial year, presumably despite a provisional 7.7% increase (around £17million) in the council’s funding by the Welsh Government.
As well as asking for opinions on how the council has delivered on its priorities over the last year, the survey presents some budget options. These include:
- Significant increases to council tax, up to and including increasing it by as much as is necessary “to maintain all council services at existing levels”. Council tax was frozen in 2022-23 (an election year).
- Moving more services online and providing more information on council services at “local community hubs”.
- New council priorities including the possibility that “services that aren’t valued or well-used” could be withdrawn, more partnership working with charitable bodies and community councils and a greater emphasis on the climate emergency.
