Newport and Torfaen to increase council tax (From South Wales Argus)
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Newport and Torfaen to increase council tax
3:36pm Wednesday 15th February 2012 in News
TWO Gwent councils yesterday proposed council tax increases as they balance their budgets amid nationwide public spending cuts.
Newport’s cabinet members agreed a council tax rise of 2.9 per cent for 2012/13 – smaller than last year’s rise of 3.9 per cent – while Torfaen cabinet settled on a rise of 2.35 per cent.
Councillors will nowhave to vote through the budgets for next year at full council meetings due on February 28, following decisions at meetings yesterday.
If theNewport proposals are approved, band D council tax payers will pay £825.98 a year, up from£802.69, withNewport council left with a budget of £237.26 million for the year.
Members decided against cutting funding to Gwent Music Support Service and the storage of the Newport Festival Clock, and not to cut all the cash fromtwinning projects.
It was proposed Gwent Music Support Service would have its budget cut by £42,000 but 74 people e-mailed against the move during a consultation on the budget.
Objectors also hit out at proposals to scrap the Newport Festival Clock – which costs £8,000 a year to store.
Proposals to cut the £10,000 budget for twinning had also ignited protests but instead cabinet members decided to cut the overall budget by £2,000.
The social services department faces a budget with £2.2 million less cash than the year before – with savings of more than £5 million offset by an extra £2.4 million found by the council. Schools funding would increase, rising from £78 million to £79.7 million, but the street scene and regeneration departments both face cuts.
The 2.35 per cent rise in Torfaen’s council tax would see rate Band D payers’ bills rise from £952.82 to £975.21.
The increase in council tax is lower than last year’s of 2.99 per cent and is expected to bring the council an extra £700,000.
The council is looking to make savings of £5.4 million during the next financial year.
