Bridgend County Borough Council has given the green light to its final revenue budget for the upcoming 2025-26 financial year. During a council meeting held on February 26, the council members approved a 4.5 per cent increase in council tax, alongside various cost-saving measures. These actions were deemed necessary to address what officials described as unprecedented financial pressures faced by the local authority.
The annual revenue budget covers the day-to-day operational expenses of the council, such as personnel salaries, infrastructure maintenance, pensions, and other operational costs. With a 3.9 per cent increase in Welsh Government funding for Bridgend, the council will have a revenue budget of £383.3 million for the next financial year. This funding allocation includes substantial amounts for schools, social services, services within the chief executive’s directorate, and communities.
According to a council spokesperson, the approved budget will entail increased investment in services for vulnerable groups, including adults and children, as well as additional funds for road maintenance, pothole repairs, and support for disabled individuals through grants for home modifications. However, the budget will also lead to the discontinuation of the current meals-at-home service, a potential reduction in the local CCTV coverage to night-time or weekends, and higher charges for bulky waste and bereavement services.
Efficiency savings of one per cent are expected to be implemented against schools’ delegated budgets, which could possibly result in staff redundancies within the education sector. Moreover, counselling services in schools are set to face cuts exceeding 20 per cent. Despite initial proposals to cut school music services, the public outcry led to the removal of this measure from the budget plan, marking a significant win for concerned residents.
The Bridgend Independent group put forward an alternative budget, advocating for the retention of existing school counselling services and reducing school budget cuts to 0.5 per cent. However, this proposal was rejected in a vote, as council officers raised concerns about the sustainability of the plan in restoring depleted reserves. The final decision to approve the budget came after a vote, with 27 members supporting the plans and 16 voting against.
Council leader John Spanswick of Brackla West Central expressed his belief that the approved budget is equitable for all services and entails one of the lowest council tax rises in Wales. The budget deliberations also saw questions raised about the freedom of Labour Party members to vote independently, without facing repercussions from the party leadership. Council leader Spanswick asserted that no “whipping” had been applied to the Labour members during the vote.
The contentious budget approval process culminated in a significant decision that will impact the residents of Bridgend. While the council faces financial challenges, the approved budget aims to strike a balance between meeting essential community needs and ensuring responsible fiscal management. As the local authority prepares to implement the approved budget, attention will likely focus on how these changes will affect various services and the community at large.