People are being asked for their views on a proposed Neath Port Talbot Council budget for 2023/24, with the local authority facing a huge funding gap of over £23million.

The council’s Cabinet will be asked for permission to consult on the proposals at its meeting on Thursday, 19 January.

A raft of savings measures, including a reduction in council buildings, better use of technology and many other efficiencies have been put in place to help bridge the funding gap.

It is also proposed to use £4.9m from council reserves to underpin the coming financial year’s budget.

And a rise in Council Tax, which would mean residents on Band A to C (the vast majority in Neath Port Talbot) would pay between 96p and £1.28p per week extra for their essential services, is being proposed.

Cllr Simon Knoyle, Cabinet Member for Finance, Performance and Social Justice, said: “We are keenly aware the cost of living crisis is impacting heavily on our residents.

“But, like councils across the UK, we’re facing a series of extraordinary pressures, fuelled by the cost-of-living crisis, the energy crisis and the lasting impact of Brexit (supply chain pressures) and Covid-19.

“This means every service we provide such as educating around 20,000 children in more than 60 schools, providing social services for older people, protecting young people and children and things like keeping leisure centres and pools open are unfortunately costing much more.

“If consultation on these proposals is approved, we would urge as many of our residents as possible to take part.”

The proposed budget has been drawn up against a background of the Ukraine War, the Covid pandemic and Brexit.

Consultation on the proposals, if approved by Cabinet, will run from January 19 to February 10. There will be a number of ways to give feedback including:

  • An online questionnaire on our website www.npt.gov.uk/LetsTalk
  • Paper questionnaires in public buildings covering locations in12 Neath Port Talbot towns and valleys.
  • By email to LetsTalk@npt.gov.uk
  • By letter to Let’s Talk Budget, Civic Centre, Port Talbot SA13 1PJ.

Final decisions on the budget will be made by the Cabinet and full council in March this year after taking into account people’s views on the proposals.