Questions are being asked of Welsh Local Authorities after it emerged that spending on ‘central administration’ will rise by £11 million this year.
The figures are from the Welsh Government’s own data resource – Stats Wales.
Over the same period, spending in other key areas is to fall across Wales as a whole, substantially.
For example, on ‘Roads and Transport’ overall spend will fall by £2.73 million in 2017/18. Whilst for ‘Libraries, Culture, Heritage, Sport and Recreation’ budgets will contract by almost £4 million.
Criticism is all the more targeted due to a much touted drive by Welsh Labour Government towards a more streamlined local government setup in Wales.
Sadly, years of uncertainty appears to have contributed to the problem, according to the Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Local Government, Janet Finch-Saunders.
She said:
“Councils across Wales have questions to answer over how wisely this money is being spent, if the central running costs are having to rise at a time when spending on vital public services like infrastructure and libraries are falling.
“It’s inconceivable that spending on central admin should be rising at all – but to see the budgets for things like libraries and road repairs falling at the same time is unacceptable.
“With Welsh Government having unleashed a whirlwind of uncertainty in recent years following botched plans to reform councils, I do have some sympathy for councils – especially in rural areas like the Vale of Glamorgan and Monmouth who already face a tough financial settlement.
“But taxpayers will be watching councils closely to ensure that their council tax receipts are spent wisely, and on the right priorities.”
