Archive Council News

11.03.05

Council Sets Budget and Council Tax for 2005/06

Wrexham Council has agreed its Budget and Council Tax for 2005/06. The Budget agreed for the provision of services throughout the County Borough area is £169,759,705. The services include Education, Social Services, Housing, Transport and Engineering.

The Budget is mainly financed by grants provided by the Welsh Assembly Government throughout the Revenue Support Grant £105 million, non domestic business rates £27 million and other smaller incentive and depravation grants.

Further information about Council Tax in Wrexham

Councillors have had made some very difficult decisions in agreeing the Budget because Wrexham received the lowest increase in revenue support grant from the Welsh Assembly Government in the whole of Wales. In addition in line with the Welsh Assembly Government's policy, 1% efficiency savings were built into the budget plan, as this money was cut by the Welsh Assembly Government.

In spite of these difficulties the recommended budget does provide for increases particularly in schools and social services budgets.

The recommended budget results in £36 million remaining to be funded by Council Tax payers. The resultant Band Charge for Wrexham County Borough Council is £740.56, a 1.88% increase. The North Wales Police Precept and Community Precepts are required to be added to the tax for Council services resulting in an overall Band D equivalent of £930.96.

Council Leader, Aled Roberts, said:

"This has been a difficult budget to arrive at given the poor settlement the Council received. To set one of the lowest Council Tax increases in Wales has been an achievement. I recognise that many households in the County Borough will be paying more Council Tax due to the Welsh Assembly Government's revaluation/banding exercise and consequently the Council have strived to keep the increase low whilst supporting the Council's priorities in Education and Social Services. This increase in Council Tax is by far the lowest increase since Wrexham County Borough Council was formed in 1996"