Denbighshire Residents Braced for 6% Rise in Council Tax

Residents in Denbighshire will see council tax increase by 6% after a council vote at a meeting at the authority’s Ruthin County Hall HQ today (Thursday).

Councillors set a balanced budget and agreed on the level of council tax after a four-hour debate in which the opposition attempted to reverse a previous decision on cutting library hours and potentially closing toilets.

Independent leader Cllr Huw Hilditch-Roberts, asked the council to include an amendment that pledged £560,000 of unsecured credit to improving library opening hours and protecting public toilets.

Cllr Hilditch-Roberts argued that finances relating to national insurance refunds are expected to come back to the authority, which he believed could be used to reverse decisions on cutting library opening hours.

Cllr Hilditch-Roberts also wanted these funds to be used to safeguard public toilets, following a recent public consultation on the matter after £200K of proposed cuts – of which a decision is yet to be finalised.

“Will toilets remain open under this budget?” said Cllr Hilditch-Roberts. “I don’t think we can give assurances because of so many things outside of our control,” said cabinet member for finance, Cllr Gwyneth Ellis.

The independent leader was then accused by Cllr Ellis of making it up on a hoof as the money needed for his proposed amendment was yet to be secured.

Cllr Hilditch-Roberts then drew comparisons with last year’s budget being agreed “with a £3m shortfall” – an accusation refuted by Cllr Ellis.

Despite being seconded by Conservative group leader, Cllr Brian Jones, Cllr Hilditch-Roberts’ proposal ultimately failed, losing the vote 19-25 to secure the amendment.

What was agreed was an unscheduled £500,000 pledged to schools.

This money wasn’t included in the budget but will be used to tackle learners’ wellbeing, attendance issues, behaviour problems, and poverty, with Cllr Mark Young making the proposal.

Despite the 6% council tax rise, cabinet member for finance, Cllr Gwyneth Ellis said those least able to afford the increase wouldn’t suffer.

“I’m very aware the rise in council tax will be difficult for residents, but there is a council tax reduction scheme that will safeguard the most vulnerable,” said Cllr Ellis.

This 6% rise equates to an average increase of £100.73 per annum for a band D household, bringing the amount to £1,779.48 a year.

Councillors were told an unexpected additional £14.4m of funds from Welsh Government had “bailed out” the authority, in the form of a 4.6% increase in the local government settlement.

The budget was voted through with 31 votes in favour and 13 against. All 44 councillors backed the 6% council tax increase.