Let's Talk Budget 2023/24

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Click here for Welsh

This consultation has now ended. You can read the cabinet report here. You can read our consultation report here.

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is a large organisation and provides a wide range of services across Rhondda Cynon Taf, for example, collecting residents’ recycling and wheelie bin / black bag waste, street cleansing, Homes for the Elderly, Leisure Centres, Theatres and providing funding for our schools and working in partnership with them to deliver high quality education for children and young people. Its total net revenue budget for 2022/23 is £566M and is funded in the main, 78% by Welsh Government with Council Tax raised accounting for 21% and Council Reserves used alongside.

As a consequence of the ongoing impact of Brexit, the recovery from the pandemic, the conflict in Ukraine, inflation and the cost of living crisis, the Council is projected to face a significant budget gap over the next 3 years. Based on the UK Government’s spending plans (as set out in last year’s Comprehensive Spending Review) the Council is projecting a budget gap of over £47 million for next financial year (2023/24) alone with this forecast to increase to over £80 million by financial year 2025/26.

Without a change of course by UK Government, there will be a need for this Council to reduce its annual recurring spending on Council services. The Council has reserves set aside and will use these as part of transitioning to a lower level of ongoing spend going forward in light of real terms Government cuts to funding provided. We cannot look to the local council tax payer alone to bridge the gap.

The Council has been able to invest in services and infrastructure over recent years, in line with a long-term plan, providing improvements across many areas including Schools, Town Centres, Roads, Bridges, Parks and Play Areas. The Council has also received positive feedback from residents on how it uses one-off funds to invest in services and it is an approach it is planning to continue to do to build on the strong foundations in place.

However, the situation now requires the Council to address forecasted budget shortfalls, continue its responsible approach in managing public money and prioritise how it uses the limited funding available to it.

Please take part in the survey below to share your views on the budget, and help us develop a Budget Strategy for 2023/24.

Click here for Welsh

This consultation has now ended. You can read the cabinet report here. You can read our consultation report here.

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is a large organisation and provides a wide range of services across Rhondda Cynon Taf, for example, collecting residents’ recycling and wheelie bin / black bag waste, street cleansing, Homes for the Elderly, Leisure Centres, Theatres and providing funding for our schools and working in partnership with them to deliver high quality education for children and young people. Its total net revenue budget for 2022/23 is £566M and is funded in the main, 78% by Welsh Government with Council Tax raised accounting for 21% and Council Reserves used alongside.

As a consequence of the ongoing impact of Brexit, the recovery from the pandemic, the conflict in Ukraine, inflation and the cost of living crisis, the Council is projected to face a significant budget gap over the next 3 years. Based on the UK Government’s spending plans (as set out in last year’s Comprehensive Spending Review) the Council is projecting a budget gap of over £47 million for next financial year (2023/24) alone with this forecast to increase to over £80 million by financial year 2025/26.

Without a change of course by UK Government, there will be a need for this Council to reduce its annual recurring spending on Council services. The Council has reserves set aside and will use these as part of transitioning to a lower level of ongoing spend going forward in light of real terms Government cuts to funding provided. We cannot look to the local council tax payer alone to bridge the gap.

The Council has been able to invest in services and infrastructure over recent years, in line with a long-term plan, providing improvements across many areas including Schools, Town Centres, Roads, Bridges, Parks and Play Areas. The Council has also received positive feedback from residents on how it uses one-off funds to invest in services and it is an approach it is planning to continue to do to build on the strong foundations in place.

However, the situation now requires the Council to address forecasted budget shortfalls, continue its responsible approach in managing public money and prioritise how it uses the limited funding available to it.

Please take part in the survey below to share your views on the budget, and help us develop a Budget Strategy for 2023/24.

Page last updated: 14 Mar 2023, 11:44 AM