Council agrees budget
The Vale of Glamorgan Council has committed to investing in Education, Social Care, its towns, villages and highway network after the 2025/26 budget was agreed at a meeting of all Councillors.
Around 71 per cent of a £331 million budget will go on schools and Social Services to meet growing demand in these areas.
But money will also be spent on improving roads, repairing potholes and upgrading public spaces to offer residents better quality of life and more opportunities.
More than £4.5 million has been allocated for highway enhancements, while the Council recently secured £20 million of Levelling Up money for the Barry Marina Project.
Council tax will increase by just 5.9 per cent – one of the smallest rises in Wales - meaning Vale residents will continue to pay significantly less than the Welsh average.
Council Leader Lis Burnett has set out an ambitious vision, which will be achieved by changing the way services are delivered as the Council adapts to sustained real terms funding cuts and a significant budget shortfall.
“This Council has a proven track record of overcoming financial challenges and I’ve no doubt we will do so again as we look to realise our bold aspirations for the future,” she said.
“Prioritising investment in Social Care in recent years means that the Vale has the fewest delays in hospital discharge in Wales. Sustained investment in our schools sees pupils learn in some of the most modern facilities and those that need additional support can access excellent provision.
“We will continue to invest in our children to make sure they are given the very best platform for success and maintain support for those in the greatest need.
“We also remain committed to our council house building programme to meet the need for quality modern homes and our Project Zero work to become carbon neutral by 2030.
“There are exciting projects in the pipeline that can improve employment, training and leisure opportunities in the Vale. These include the creation of a marina, watersports centre and park at Barry Waterfront, alongside proposals to rent modern office space in the Council’s nearby Dock Office.
“I am excited and optimistic about the future, confident that the Vale can continue to thrive as we look to realise our new Corporate Plan and Reshaping Programme.
“But the simple fact is that costs are increasing at a much faster rate than funding so we will need to do things differently.
“There will be greater partnership working with local community groups, the introduction of new forward-thinking business models, some unused Council buildings may be sold and, inevitably, certain new charges might need to be introduced.”
Of the 22 Local Authorities in Wales, the Vale of Glamorgan Council receives the second smallest financial settlement from Welsh Government.
That was £224.448 million, a 3.8 per cent increase on last year, and accounts for two thirds of its funding with the rest made up of council tax contributions and a share of business rates collected across Wales.
The vast majority of that money will go on schools and Social Services, with rapidly growing demand for adult and children’s Social Care, provision for pupils with Additional Learning Needs and school transport costs among the most significant cost pressures.
Spending in these areas has increased by £8.647 million and £10.243 million respectively. This is a larger proportion than ever before and part of the Council’s financial strategy to protect the services used by the Vale’s most vulnerable citizens.
Such spiralling costs, combined with a reduction in funding, has left the Council facing a budget shortfall of around £9 million.
Significant savings need to be made to bring expenditure in line with income. As well as changes and innovation to service delivery and the introduction of some charges, these will be achieved through the careful use of reserves.