NDM8238 Welsh Conservatives Debate - Local government funding
NDM8238 Welsh Conservatives Debate - Local government funding
NDM8238 Darren Millar
(Clwyd West)
To propose that the Senedd:
1. Notes that local authorities have an
estimated £2.75 billion in useable reserves.
2. Recognises the vital role that local
authorities play in delivering public services across Wales and the funding
challenges they face.
3. Regrets that the average council tax
rise in Wales for 2023-2024 is 5.5 per cent.
4. Calls on the Welsh Government to:
a) commission an independent review of the
Welsh local government funding formula;
b) work with local authorities to use their
useable reserves to keep council tax as low as possible;
c) require any local authority proposing an
excessive increase in council tax to hold a local referendum and
obtain a yes vote before implementing the proposed rise.
The following amendments were tabled:
Amendment 1 Lesley
Griffiths (Wrexham)
Delete all after point 1 and replace with:
Recognises council tax as one of the most
regressive forms of taxation, disproportionately impacting on poorer areas and
welcomes the Co-operation Agreement commitment to make the system fairer and
more progressive;
Recognises the vital role local authorities
play in delivering public services across Wales, the significant increases in
the local government settlement in 2022-2023 and 2023-24 and the funding
challenges authorities nevertheless face.
Notes that the average band D council tax
in Wales is £186 less than the average in England.
Calls on the Welsh Government to:
a) continue to develop and maintain the
Welsh local government funding formula in partnership with local government;
b) continue to recognise the importance of
local democratic decision making on council budgets and public services.
The
Co-operation Agreement 2021
If amendment 1 is agreed, amendment 2 will
be de-selected.
Amendment 2 Sian Gwenllian
(Arfon)
In point 4, delete sub-points (b) and (c).
Amendment 3 Sian Gwenllian
(Arfon)
Add as new points at end of motion:
Recognises that council tax is one of the
most regressive forms of taxation and disproportionately impacts on poorer
areas of the country.
Welcomes the commitment through the Plaid
Cymru and Welsh Government Co-operation Agreement to make the council tax
system fairer and more progressive.
Reason considered: Senedd Business;
Type: For information
First published: 04/05/2023