Council tax going up

Mar 6 2008 by Sian Watts, Rhymney Valley Express

TAXPAYERS in the Caerphilly county borough, will this year see their council tax rise by 3.5 per cent.

After a tight budget resulting from the settlement from the Welsh Assembly, and problems with rising energy costs, council chiefs have balanced the books and announced their decision.

Examples of other increases throughout South Wales include 2.9 per cent in Merthyr Tydfil County Borough and 3.9 per cent in Blaenau Gwent.

Caerphilly County Borough Council says it feels it has struck the right balance in having a reasonable increase while improving key front-line services.

Deputy leader of the council Gerald Jones said: “The way this council has been prudently managed over the past few years has meant we are able to protect front-line services, retain relatively healthy balances and keep council tax at a reasonable level.”

The council says education remains a key priority and an extra £5.9m investment is planned for this year.

But Llanbradach councillor Colin Mann is not so positive about the increased rates.

He said: “Plaid Cymru proposed that the rise should be no more than 2.5 per cent.

“The rise is more than inflation, and it is hitting taxpayers year on year.

“There have been a number of incidents where the council has not spent wisely.”