People in Neath Port Talbot are being encouraged to have their say on how the Council can meet its budget shortfall for 2019/20 and beyond.

Like other councils across the UK Neath Port Talbot faces a significant budget gap next year and beyond. Faced with a projected budget shortfall of more than £12 million for 2019/20, the Council is consulting on a set of draft proposals for cuts.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Rob Jones said: "The Council has made no final decisions as yet and the proposals issued are for consultation only. Some of these may change now that the Welsh Government is to receive additional monies as a result of the UK Government's budget earlier this week, but only if the Welsh Government stands by its statement that councils will be first in the queue for these new funds.”

“We will be holding the Welsh Government to this promise and will continue to press the case for fair funding.”

Since 2010, The Council has reduced its budget by more than £83 million. This has been achieved in a number of ways including, reducing the Council’s workforce, making efficiency savings by changing the way the Council works and by working with and transferring assets to partners in the community to deliver some services.

Councillor Carol Clement-Williams, Cabinet Member for Finance, added: “Ahead of their final budget proposals around Christmas, there is still time for the Welsh Government to correct the serious imbalance in their draft budget between the additional resources allocated for the NHS and the major cuts to other vital public services. Whatever the case, difficult decisions will still have to be made for the forthcoming financial year.

“It is important that any final decisions are as informed about the needs of Neath Port Talbot as possible and I hope that people take the time to give their views on the draft proposals."

The consultation will run until Friday, January 11 2019.

More information on the proposals and an online questionnaire can be found at npt.gov.uk/haveyoursay under ‘consultation’.

Alternatively there will be feedback boxes at civic buildings, community centres and libraries across the county borough where paper versions of the feedback form can be posted.