Llanelli Ratepayers to see a further Council Tax increase

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Llanelli ratepayers will continue to see an increase in council tax following the decision of the Labour-run Town Council voting to increase council tax again this year. This follows their decision to increase Council Tax by a record-breaking 54% last year.

At that time, it was one of the biggest increases year-on-year for ratepayers set by a town or community council within the County, 5 times over the rate of inflation and saw the contribution of a Band D property rising from £106.26 to £163.55. 

At its meeting on Monday 19th February, Labour leader Cllr David Darkin proposed the amount that Llanelli Town Council will take from its ratepayers will rise from £1,450,000 to £1,500,000 in the next financial year 2024/25. This leading to a further tax increase of 1.64% for residents living within the Llanelli Town area. 

This comes on top of the proposed county council tax rises, as well as increased police and fire service precepts.

Opposition Councillors argued that given the better than expected budget settlement presented that there was scope to freeze the Council Tax for the forthcoming financial year without having any impact at all on the delivery of the Council’s services.

An amendment was put forward by Independent Cllr Sean Rees to set the precept at a level which would have ensured a freeze in the amount of tax paid by residents especially given the impact of the ongoing recovery of the COVID-19 pandemic, the current cost of living crisis and continued financial hardship which many Llanelli families are continuing to go through to make ends meet. The amendment was seconded by Plaid Cllr Terry Davies. 

All Labour Councillors present voted against the amendment and therefore a freeze was not agreed. Instead, the original motion was then put forward by leader Cllr Darkin to increase the level of tax to be paid. This was passed with the support of all Labour Councillors. All Opposition Councillors voted against the increase. 

Opposition Councillors have also continued to express concern that for the first time in the Council’s history, Town Councillors can claim a £30 attendance allowance regardless of the length of any meeting or committee. This decision was passed by the ruling Labour Group despite them not having to agree to the recommendations put forward by the ‘Remuneration Panel for Wales’. 

For information:

The Opposition Councillors who voted against the Town Council tax increase and for a freeze were:-

Councillor Michael Cranham

Councillor Amanda Carter

Councillor Terry Davies

Councillor John Jones

Councillor Sean Rees

Councillor Louvain Roberts

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