Bridgend Town’s final budget was approved by Bridgend City Council this week after lengthy discussion by members at a council meeting on 1 March.

The final budget for 2023-24, which council chiefs dubbed the “welfare budget”, was approved after serious debate between cabinet and opposition members before finally being approved by a 26-20 vote.

It will now consist of a gross revenue budget of £485m, a net budget of £342m and an additional capital investment program of £69m.

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It will also include a 4.9% increase in council tax for residents, as well as a 2% cut in school funding after the authority was tasked with finding £2.6m of savings this year, with a further £17m to be found. for the next four years.

Cllr Jane Gabby said, “As a mother, grandmother and unpaid carer for my disabled parents, knowing that the cost of living affects our finances, I am aware of the financial impact our budget will have on families in our area.

“However, this crisis is also affecting the finances of our municipalities. I have no hesitation in supporting this budget proposal in full council today because I know it is the best option available to ensure our most vulnerable populations are protected. residents”.

Despite this, opposition members of the House believed there were other options for looking at this year’s budget, and Cllr Amanda Williams of Coity Higher urged the leader to withdraw the proposals and consider an alternative bill, to be presented to the CFO. by The Independent. Group a week before.

The order comes after concerns about the impact of a 2% cut to the school budget in the area, which will result in cuts of around £2m across Bridgend’s 60 schools, much of which is from staff budgets.

That request was later rejected because the CFO, Carys Lord, did not consider the alternative proposals “robust” enough in terms of long-term financial planning.

The budget, approved by the full council, provides for spending of up to £92.79m on welfare and social services, £137m on the Family and Education Support Authority and £69m on an equity investment program for developments such as the ongoing regeneration in Porthcawl.

Savings will come from a nationwide switch to LED street lighting with potential savings of £100,000, the commercial lease of two wings of Ravens Court to a partner organization or business with savings of £120,000 and charging blue card holders to park in public car parks for around £40,000.

Costs for a number of council services will also rise, such as bulk refuse collection, with a 12.9% increase in the council’s contribution to the South Wales Fire Service and a 7.4% increase in the South Wales Police Warrant. South Wales.

Board leader Hugh David said: “I’ve said before that this has been the most challenging budget I’ve ever produced, but I’m proud of how it focuses on supporting families, promoting well-being and protecting the most vulnerable. .

“This Budget does this while addressing pressures such as the current cost of living crisis, large increases in demand for essential services, a significant increase in inflation of 10% and growing difficulties in the supply of materials and resources.

“During its inception, we have learned from best practice, lobbied and won a fair deal with the Welsh Government and considered proposals at various cross-party Budget Scrutiny and Assessment Committee meetings, Scrutiny, Corporate Governance Council, wide public consultation and a lot more . .

“This ‘prosperity budget’ was seen as ambitious, but at the same time firmly grounded in reality. It was designed to reflect the priorities, pressures and concerns of local residents and to achieve the goals for the coming year. No. Whatever new challenges we face in 2023-24, this Budget will ensure that we are prepared, ready and able to meet them head on.” You can read more about our Bridgend stories here or sign up for our special newsletter here .

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