Welsh Government must own council funding cuts or reverse them
The Welsh Conservatives held a debate today calling for the Welsh Labour Government to change next year’s controversial local authority financial settlement, and to review the formula that allocates cash to councils.
In a Senedd debate, Conservative AMs highlighted how the settlement will result in inequitable funding between North and South Wales authorities and the continued rise of council tax in Wales, which has sky-rocketed by over 200% since 1999.
The debate follows weeks of pressure on the Welsh Government during which:
- A Welsh Government Minister signed an open letter with 3 senior colleagues stating their ‘disappointment’ in the local Government funding settlement. (link)
- First Minister Carwyn Jones planned to hold a private meeting with Council Leaders from his own party following pressure to rethink the spending plans. (link)
- There was a backlash towards the Local Government Cabinet Secretary for comparing councils to “Oliver Twist” for asking for the resources they need to deliver services (link)
- Figures by public sector workers’ union Unison revealed that Welsh local authorities have cut more than 28,000 jobs in the last eight years. (link)
Darren Millar AM, who opened the debate, highlighted how the Future Generations Commissioner said the Welsh Government was “spending too much on ill health and not enough on preventative health”, arguing that is something in which local government plays a significant role.
Suzy Davies AM, who represents South Wales West, highlighted how the leaders of Labour-controlled councils in the region have strongly criticised the Welsh Labour Government for their treatment of local authorities, include the leader of Bridgend Council who has been forced to abandon his commitment to protecting schools and social services budget.
The Welsh Conservatives supported the Plaid Cymru amendments (see notes), but the Welsh Labour Government defeated the original motion.
Commenting after the debate, Shadow Local Government Mark Isherwood AM, said:
“Despite the Welsh Government’s shameless U-turn in giving councils a bit more money, it still doesn’t prevent a North-South divide and the real terms cut to all 22 local authorities.
“Since 2009, we have had a £1 billion real-terms cut from the Welsh Labour Government for council services in Wales which cover essential services such schools and social services.
“The authorities themselves – including those that are Labour run – have made it clear that both this settlement and the funding formula are unfair and harsh, and its tax payers who will be paying more but receiving less.
“The UK Conservative Government is sending over £550m extra to Wales over the next three years, a significant portion of which could be spent on councils and localised services. It is the Welsh Labour Government who have chosen not to.”
