Funding cuts lead to hike in Welshpool tax bills

The budget for the forthcoming year was set at a meeting this week as Welshpool Town Council agreed to keep all existing services in place and also look to take on street cleaning from the county council.

A public services consultation was held across the town, with residents indicating they would be willing to pay more, within reason, to retain services, and were keen for the town council to take over the running of the street cleaning and local buses.

Councillor Graham Breeze said: "If Powys County Council is to cut the street scene service I think we have a duty to respond to that. We're already receiving reports of more rats on the street. I expect fly tipping will increase as well."

The council agreed to look at taking on street scene services, but is unlikely to begin that service until the summer. However, the budget was drawn up to include costs to cover taking on an extra member of staff and buying the equipment needed to carry out the work.

A budget of £320,000 was approved unanimously by councillors for the year 2016/2017. Town clerk Robert Robinson said it would be difficult to make any further reductions in the budget without cutting "three or four" major services, as the budget was already honed down as much as possible.

Mayor Councillor Malcolm Douglass said: "The town council will continue to produce good value for the services it runs and will continue to deliver them to a good standard."

The full budget is available online at at www.welshpooltowncouncil.gov.uk