Cardiff Council Plans to Increase Taxes and Fees in 2025
Cardiff Council is gearing up to potentially hike council tax, parking permit fees, and burial charges in an effort to save millions of pounds. The local authority is set to kick off a public consultation next week regarding its budget proposals for the 2025/26 financial year. The council aims to bridge a budget gap of £23.4 million for the upcoming year, with a significant portion of savings eyed from back-office streamlining and voluntary staff reductions.
Notable proposed investments include additional funding for schools, adult services, central education services, and children’s services. Cardiff Council leader, Cllr Huw Thomas, lauded the proposed Welsh Government settlement as the most generous since 2010, but highlighted the ongoing challenges posed by austerity and increasing demand. The council emphasised the need for savings, efficiency improvements, service charge hikes, and operational changes to balance the budget effectively.
While the specific figure for the council tax increase remains undecided, Cardiff Council is considering upping the cost of residential parking permits and burial services. The proposed adjustments include raising the first parking permit fee from £30 to £35 and the second permit fee from £80 to £120. Burial service charges could also see an increase of £100 to £1,140, while cremation service fees may go up by £40 to £910. Additionally, the cost of purchasing a grave could rise by £65 to £1,295.
Councilor Chris Weaver, responsible for finance, modernisation, and performance, highlighted the escalating demand for council services amidst a cost of living crisis, an ageing population, and a rise in pupils with additional learning needs. The council has previously faced financial challenges, which led to controversial proposals such as private operators for cultural venues and adjustments to waste collection services.
The budget consultation phase is vital for residents to voice their opinions on the proposed changes before final decisions are made. The public consultation will open on Thursday, January 9, 2025, and run until midnight, Sunday, February 9, 2025. Residents can access detailed budget proposals on the Cardiff Council website or obtain printed copies at local libraries, Hubs, and council buildings for offline participation. The final budget decisions are scheduled to undergo scrutiny by council committees before being considered by the full council on Wednesday, February 5.