News

Ceredigion County Council budget approved for 2024-2025

Published

2 years ago

March 3, 2024

THE 2024-2025 budget for Ceredigion County Council has been approved in a Council meeting held on Thursday, 29 February 2024.

Like all Local Authorities across Wales, Ceredigion County Council continues to face severe financial pressures, where maintaining Council services is proving extremely challenging.

The estimated revenue pressures being faced by the Council for 2024-2025 total some £18m, equivalent to a Ceredigion specific inflation factor of 10%. After allowing for a 2.9% core funding increase from Welsh Government, a budget shortfall of £14m has needed to be found from a combination of budget reductions and Council Tax increase considerations.

Ceredigion County Council’s Budget for 2024-2025 has been set at £193.572m. This results in a Council Tax increase for County Council Services of 10.0%, with a further 1.1% Council Tax increase being required to fully fund a 12% increase in the Fire levy set by Mid and West Wales Fire Authority. The combined 11.1% increase equates to an increase of £172.45 for a Band D property.

75% of the Council’s Budget is now being spent on Through Age Social Care and Wellbeing Services, Schools and Lifelong Learning and Highways and Environmental Services. After allowing for other fixed costs (for example – the Fire Authority Levy and the Council Tax Reduction Scheme), there remains only 14% for all other Council Services. Follow this link to see an infographic titled ‘A snapshot of Ceredigion services’, which summarises our main financial costs: www.ceredigion.gov.uk/resident/news/2024/council-budget-approved-for-2024-2025/

Councillor Bryan Davies, Leader of Ceredigion County Council, said: “This has been a difficult budget setting process in what has been a less than adequate settlement from the Welsh Government, below the 3.1% promised. These are not decisions that we want to have to make but are necessary in order to protect frontline services where possible. The outlook for future years is poor and we will have to undertake a fundamental review of the purpose of the Council. In the meantime, we continue to lobby Welsh Government to ensure that Ceredigion gets a fair budget in future years. I am grateful for all the collaboration that has taken place to present this budget, as well as the work between the Council and town and community councils as they take on additional responsibilities.”

Support may be available through our Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction Scheme. Find out more information and if you are eligible here: Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction

You can also call Clic Customer Services on 01545 570881 or e-mail [email protected] for help and advice.

Community

Community gathers to remember Corrina Baker

Published

3 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Lanterns and balloons released in emotional acts of remembrance

FAMILY, friends and members of the local community came together to remember Corrina Baker at a series of moving events held across west Wales this week.

Corrina’s funeral took place on Monday (Dec 15), a month after her death, with a public service held at St Mary’s Church. Mourners lined the route as her coffin was carried on its final journey in an elegant horse-drawn carriage, before a private cremation later took place at Parc Gwyn crematorium in Narberth.

Later that evening, shortly after 6:00pm, friends and relatives gathered at the Quayside in Cardigan for the first of two acts of remembrance to celebrate her life. Lanterns were lit and released into the night sky above the town as some of Corrina’s favourite songs were played.

On Tuesday afternoon (Dec 16), a second tribute was held near the location where Corrina was found. Twenty-one pink balloons — one for each year of her life — were released into a clear blue sky, each carrying personal messages in her memory.

Floral tributes continue to be laid at the Netpool, while a GoFundMe appeal set up in Corrina’s memory has raised more than £2,300. She has been described by those who knew her as “funny and bright”.

Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ms Baker’s death is ongoing. A 29-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been released on bail while inquiries continue.

(Photos: Stuart Ladd/Herald)

Community

Six untaxed vehicles seized in Milford Haven police operation

Published

4 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

SIX untaxed and abandoned vehicles were seized during a joint roads policing operation in Milford Haven on Tuesday morning.

Officers from the Milford Haven Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Team (NPPT) worked alongside the Pembrokeshire Roads Policing Team as part of targeted enforcement across the town.

In addition to the vehicle seizures, a number of traffic offence reports were issued to drivers during the operation.

Police said the action formed part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety and tackle vehicle-related offences in the Milford Haven area.

Community

Candlelit carol service brings community together in Milford Haven

Published

4 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

ST KATHARINE and St Peter’s Church in Milford Haven hosted its annual Candlelit Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, bringing together members of the community for a traditional celebration of Christmas.

The service featured readings from the Mayor of Milford Haven, representatives of the Soroptimists, Milford Haven Amateur Operatic Society, the Headteacher and Head Prefects of Milford Haven School, Milford Haven Town Band, and NCI Wooltack Point.

Music for the evening was provided by organist Seimon Morris, Milford Haven Town Band and the Milford Haven Cluster Band, whose performances added to the atmosphere of the candlelit service.

The Friends of St Katharine and St Peter’s Church thanked all those involved and wished the community a happy Christmas.