Image Source: Senedd TV via Senedd Cymru/Welsh Parliament
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At this month’s full council meeting, councillors debated a motion tabled by Cllr. Jon-Paul Blundell (Lab, Cefn Glas) on the future of the local government funding formula in Wales.
The new Plaid Cymru-led Welsh Government had a manifesto commitment to look again at the local government formula so that it ” fairly reflects the realities of serving largely rural populations”.
Motion for Debate
This Council: (full text available here):
- Notes any changes to the local government formula would have significant implications for local authorities across Wales, and any changes should reflect fairness, transparency and shouldn’t disadvantage Bridgend County.
- Should write to the Minister for Finance (Elin Jones MS, pictured) and the Minister for Local Government, Housing & Planning (Sian Gwenllian MS), seeking clarification on the details and implementation of local government funding formula reform.
- Should be fully consulted on any changes to the funding formula before it’s implemented.
Cllr. Blundell said Bridgend contained some of the most deprived parts of Wales. Even small shifts in funding away from these areas would impact the Council’s ability to deliver services. He stressed that this wasn’t a partisan issue; it was about guaranteeing the Council’s financial stability.
Cllr. Ross Penhale-Thomas (Ind, Maesteg West) believed all councillors would agree on the importance of a fair and transparent funding model. However, the new Welsh Government has only been in place for a month, and previous Labour-led Welsh governments had 25 years to come up with something similar.
He proposed an amendment stressing that any new funding formula should be needs-based. Also, this would recognise that, ultimately, the amount of money available to councils depends on the UK Government’s block grant to Wales.
Cllr. Blundell agreed in principle, but didn’t think it was suited to this motion and should be dealt with separately once a new UK Prime Minister is in place. Cllr. Tim Thomas (Ind, St. Bride’s Minor & Ynysawdre) was disappointed, as the Barnett Formula fails to take into account Wales’ rurality and relative deprivation.
Cabinet Member for Finance, Cllr. Hywel Williams (Lab, Blackmill), thought all of these were valid points, but ultimately, this motion sought clarity on the priorities of the new Welsh Government.
The amendment was rejected by 28 votes to 17. The original motion was agreed unanimously.
