Council tax rise of 4.5% possible in one part of Wales

Rhondda Cynon Taf: There’s talk of a 4.5% council tax hike for next year. The council’s trying to balance its budget, and this increase could bring in an extra £549,000.

The council’s report is set to be discussed on January 22. They want to avoid big tax jumps while still keeping services running. With a budget gap of £6.82 million, they’re feeling the pinch.

Good news for schools, though! They’re looking at a £11.2 million boost, which is a 5.6% increase. This funding will help cover all the pressures schools are facing.

They’re also planning to close a couple of care homes to save about £2 million a year. Plus, fees and charges might go up by 5% to help with rising costs.

The council has found some efficiency savings too, totaling £5.75 million. They’re hoping these changes won’t hurt frontline services too much.

In the end, they’re trying to make sure they can manage the budget without digging too deep into their reserves. It’s a tricky balancing act, but they’re working on it!