13/01/2009

Further Council Cuts for the Coming Year

Cyngor Sir Ceredigion's Cabinet is proposing a budget for 2009/10 that will entail a cut of £4.3 million in its budget compared to last year. The cuts are being proposed despite transferring £600,000 from the Council's reserves and setting Council Tax at an extra 5%. Each department across the Council is being asked to identify further savings to fund the shortfall.

Representations are being made to the National Assembly, particularly Local Government Minister Brian Gibbons, about the poor funding package for County Councils. In turn the Assembly will point to the Westminster government for sticking to the much-criticised Barnett Formula in funding for Wales. The Council Cabinet's financial package will need to be discussed by the Full Council before it can be implemented.