News

Council tax to rise 9.75% for residents in Carmarthenshire

Published

1 month ago

February 11, 2025

Plaid Cymru blames Welsh Government funding and NI hike

PLAID CYMRU on Carmarthenshire County Council has blamed inadequate Welsh Government funding and the Labour Chancellor’s National Insurance hike for creating a multi-million-pound shortfall in the council’s budget for 2025/26—forcing an increase in Council Tax of 9.75%.

Cabinet Member for Resources, Cllr Alun Lenny, said: “In my experience, this year is even worse than all those years of Tory austerity. Due to inflation, pay settlements, and growing demand, we needed an extra £55m to fund essential services like social care and education, but received just £25m in annual grants from the Labour Welsh Government. We’ve had to fill the gap with efficiencies and a far higher Council Tax rise than any of us would like.”

Cllr Lenny said only 16% of the council’s income comes from Council Tax, with each 1% rise generating £1m. He added that the council had initially anticipated a 4-5% rise, but the National Insurance changes introduced by Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves would leave the council £4m out of pocket.

**Cllr Alun Lenny: This year is even worse than all those years of Tory austerity** (Pic: Herald)

“The Labour Chancellor’s action has also hit local businesses hard, with lower-paid workers in retail and hospitality particularly worried about their jobs,” he said.

Cllr Lenny also criticised the disparity in UK Government funding, highlighting that councils in England are receiving extra money through the £4.7bn Local Transport Fund. He said Herefordshire—a county with a similar population and highways network to Carmarthenshire—was getting an extra £102m over the next seven years.

“That scale of spending on roads is something we can only dream about, and shows that we in Wales are the poor relatives when it comes to UK Government funding,” he said.

He also slammed Westminster’s refusal to allocate consequential funding from the HS2 railway development in England, stating that Plaid Cymru estimates Carmarthenshire’s share should be around £250m—enough to solve its budget issues overnight.

Why are council tax rises happening across Wales?

Carmarthenshire is not alone in facing a sharp increase in Council Tax, with many Welsh councils struggling to balance their budgets. Several key factors are driving these rises:

Funding shortfalls for local authorities: Despite an additional £253m allocated to local councils in the Welsh Government’s draft budget, the Welsh Local Government Association has identified a shortfall of £560m. This leaves councils unable to meet rising demands without increasing taxes, cutting services, or making job reductions. For example, Wrexham Council is considering tax hikes of up to 15% to address these challenges.
Inflation and service pressures: Councils are dealing with significant inflationary pressures and increased demand for public services, particularly in social care and education. These factors have exacerbated financial strains, forcing councils to consider tax increases to maintain service levels.
Outdated tax system: Council tax in Wales is based on property values from 2003, making it increasingly outdated and regressive. This system creates disparities between councils and households, as property values and local needs have changed significantly over the last two decades.
Delays in tax reforms: The Welsh Government had planned to reform council tax by revaluing properties and introducing new tax bands to make the system fairer. However, this has now been postponed until 2028, meaning councils must continue relying on an outdated system to generate revenue.
Limited fiscal devolution: Welsh councils rely heavily on central government grants, restricting their ability to raise local revenue and adapt taxation to local needs. This dependency leaves them vulnerable to funding shortfalls when government grants fall short of rising costs.

Public concerns and Welsh Government response

Public opposition to rising Council Tax bills has been growing. A petition has been launched calling for Welsh councils to be limited to a maximum annual increase of 2% from April 2025. Meanwhile, Labour’s stance on Council Tax has shifted, with UK Labour ruling out changes to Council Tax bands. This contradicts the Welsh Labour government’s previous plans, creating a potential policy divide between Cardiff and Westminster.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said local authorities in Wales receive significantly more funding per capita than those in England and that difficult financial choices stem from wider economic factors, not just Labour policy.

A Welsh Labour source added: “We are committed to supporting councils, but the economic reality is that years of Tory austerity, inflationary pressures, and high interest rates have made local government funding more challenging.”

Carmarthenshire Council’s position

Despite financial pressures, Carmarthenshire County Council has committed to continued investment in education, housing, and adult and children’s services. Following public consultation, the council has scrapped plans to close public toilets unless asset transferred, will only increase car parking charges in line with inflation, and will invest more in highways, gully cleaning, and flood prevention.

As the Welsh Government finalises its budget, Plaid Cymru has pledged to lobby for fairer funding up until the last moment.

Community

Final closures begin as long-awaited A40 bypass nears completion

Published

2 hours ago

March 28, 2025

Tom Sinclair

ROAD DUE TO OPEN WEEK COMMENCING APRIL 28

THE MAJOR A40 improvement scheme in Pembrokeshire is entering its final stages, with the Welsh Government confirming the new road will open in the week beginning April 28.

Construction of the long-anticipated bypass around Llanddewi Velfrey began in summer 2021. Once completed, the new dual carriageway will remove all temporary traffic management, including bollards and reduced speed limits. The entire stretch will carry a 60mph speed limit.

Wales transport secretary Ken Skates, responding to a written question from Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire MS Samuel Kurtz, confirmed the road is on schedule.

He said: “Section 1 of the A40 Llanddewi Velfrey to Redstone Cross Improvements Scheme is programmed for completion week commencing 28th April 2025. Section 2, the detrunking works through Llanddewi Velfrey village, will commence thereafter.”

The scheme is being delivered on behalf of the Welsh Government by Alun Griffiths Contractors Ltd. Although the final cost has yet to be announced, the project was originally estimated at £60 million, including £45 million from EU funding.

In preparation for the opening, the final three weekend road closures are now underway. The first closure began last weekend (March 21-24), with the remaining two scheduled for this weekend (March 28-31) and the following weekend (April 4-7).

The closures affect the section between Penblewin roundabout and Robeston Wathen roundabout, allowing the new A40 to be connected to the existing route at a location known as Jacobs Park.

All closures begin at 7:00pm on Friday and end by 6:00am on Monday morning.

Scheme spokesperson Matthew Davies said: “Due to the significant level differences between the new A40 and the existing road, the principal contractor requires three weekend closures.

“To ensure minimal disruption to local communities, commuters, and the economy, the work has been timed to finish before the Easter holiday.”

Emergency services have been fully briefed and will use carefully planned diversion routes to minimise the impact on North Pembrokeshire. Access to homes and businesses along the affected stretch of road will be maintained throughout the closures.

Mr Davies added: “Preparation work is already underway to reduce the closure duration, and all parties, including the local health board, are prepared for the temporary measures.”

Crime

Majority of stolen sheep recovered after public appeal

Published

2 hours ago

March 28, 2025

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE says it has recovered 63 of the 75 sheep reported stolen from a farm in Rhydlewis, near Newcastle Emlyn, following a public appeal for information earlier this week.

The ewes were located at three separate sites within the Dyfed-Powys Police area over the past four days.

Inspector Matthew Howells said: “I would like to thank everyone who shared our appeal, and the appeal from the owner, which was shared over 700 times and reached communities all over Wales and further afield. The support from farming communities near and afar has been vitally important in securing a positive outcome. I’d also like to thank those who came forward with information which enabled my officers to respond quickly, ensuring the safe return of these animals to their rightful owner.”

A 40-year-old man who was previously arrested on suspicion of theft has been released on bail while police enquiries continue.

Health

Cardigan mayor joins calls to save weekend urgent care

Published

2 hours ago

March 28, 2025

Tom Sinclair

PLANS to end weekend urgent care provision at Cardigan’s Integrated Care Centre have sparked a backlash, with local leaders and residents warning of serious consequences for patients across the region.

Mayor of Cardigan, Cllr Olwen Davies, has joined those calling for the weekend service to be saved, describing its withdrawal as “deeply disappointing.”

“It’s a huge blow,” she said. “This service has proved vital not just for the town but for the wider area. With the Easter holidays upon us, it’s unthinkable that we’re losing such a key facility.”

The Welsh Government-funded weekend service was launched in January as part of a 50-day pilot aimed at relieving pressure on Bronglais and Glangwili Hospitals, both of which are struggling with some of the worst emergency department waiting times in the country.

But the funding ends this Sunday (March 30), and no extension has been confirmed—despite a surge of public support for keeping the centre open on Saturdays and Sundays. An online petition had attracted almost 1,500 signatures by Wednesday lunchtime.

Hywel Dda University Health Board confirmed the end of the pilot in a statement this week.

“From April, the urgent care centre will continue operating Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 6:00pm,” a spokesperson said. “Patients can walk in or call 01239 803075 to speak to a triage nurse before attending.”

The board said the weekend service had been well used, with 845 patients seen across the first seven weekends. Roughly three-quarters of those patients would otherwise have attended A&E.

In addition, the pilot supported a ‘Digital Ward’ approach, allowing 63 patients to be treated remotely over the past two months—something the board described as an example of “innovative care close to home.”

A formal evaluation of the weekend provision will take place following the conclusion of the full trial period.

Ceredigion MS Elin Jones also called for an urgent rethink.

“I strongly support the continuation of weekend services in Cardigan,” she said. “They’ve clearly helped reduce unnecessary A&E visits, and we need to build on that—not go backwards.”