Issue - meetings

The Chair noted, according to the Council Constitution, that the Head of Finance must accept any amendment to this item in writing in advance, and this amendment must lead to a balanced budget, if it was to be discussed. All Council members had been reminded of this last week, and the Head of Finance did not receive any notice of an amendment before the allocated closing date. Consequently, no notice of amendment to the budget could be considered.

The Cabinet Member for Finance, Councillor Ioan Thomas submitted the following:-

·        A report and presentation recommending the budget to the Council for approval for 2024/25;

·        The draft decision on the Council Tax based on the Cabinet's recommendation to the Council (based on an increase of 9.54%), along with tables showing the Council Tax level and the increase per community.

The officers of the Finance Department were thanked for all their work in preparing the budget. He added that it did not give him any pleasure whatsoever to propose raising the Council Tax at a time when so many of the County's residents were battling against substantially increased costs-of-living.

He emphasised that if anyone was experiencing problems to pay their Council Tax or needed support with the costs-of-living, that it was important for them to contact the Council. It was noted that Councillors needed to convey this information to their electors. The relevant contact details which included the telephone number for Galw Gwynedd and the e-mail address as well as the e-mail address for the Council Tax service. 

The Head of Finance reminded the members of some of the main risks in Appendix 10 of the report, and he confirmed, having considered all risks and mitigation steps, that he was of the opinion that the Council Budget for 2024/25 was sound, sufficient and deliverable.

Members were given an opportunity to make observations and ask questions. The following matters were raised by individual members:-

·        It was expressed that Cyngor Gwynedd's expenditure was being led by the needs of the people of Gwynedd and that the members were here to respond to those needs.  It was noted that the existing financial situation was already serious.  They asked how much of the overspend derived from the lack of intentional financing and the lack of acknowledgement of the basic need by the British Government.

·        In response, it was noted that the problem was substantial underfunding by the Labour Government in Cardiff. It was acknowledged that the situation was problematic because Councils received their money via Cardiff only, as well as through Council Tax payments. It was emphasised that the Council was in a situation of being underfunded.

·        One member noted that he would vote in favour of the budget, but that he would be doing so with a heavy heart. He expressed that we had been pushed and forced into this position over a period of 10 years under the Westminster Government's austerity policy. It was noted that Westminster were cutting national insurance payments but were underfunding  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9