COUNCIL taxes could rise by 6.7 per cent as the Vale Council scramble to come up with ideas to fill their budget black hole.

It could come more to light this week how the Vale Council intend to balance the books for their next budget and which services will be saved and which services will receive cuts.

The council’s Cabinet will consider budget proposals this week following Welsh Government’s recent funding announcement.

Wales Government’s funding settlement for 2024/25 was welcomed by the council like a lump of coal as the VOG argued a 3.1 per cent uplift for next year is simply not enough.

In November, leader Lis Burnett said the council is being forced into making “unpalatable” decisions due to the lack of financial support it receives.

On the WG’s latest financial settlement, announced in December, Rebecca Evans, minister for finance and local government, said: “Our overall funding settlement is not sufficient to meet all pressures.”

Despite being earmarked to receive two cheques of £20 million for regeneration in Barry and at the town’s waterfront area, the council say they are facing a huge financial blackhole to plug.

The council will receive just under £209 million for 2024/25, a figure that accounts for half its income, with the rest made up of council tax, charges for services and a share of business rates from across Wales.

Suggestions on how the funding gap can be bridged include proposals for £7.8m in savings from council budgets, increased charges for certain services, and a council tax increase of 6.7 per cent.

Linked to the council’s regeneration programme and the recent Levelling Up bid that could see the creation of a marina in Barry, there are plans to rent office space in the nearby Dock Office.

Another idea is to introduce more small retail concessions to locations throughout the Vale, while the council will look to occupy fewer buildings.

More sports and community groups will have the opportunity to gain greater independence by taking over the management of their facilities, an arrangement that has already proved extremely popular among bowls clubs and other organisations.

Cllr Lis Burnett, leader of the council, said on the proposed budget: “I have tried to be very clear with residents about that and the seriousness with which we take the responsibility of spending public money.

“It is a simple fact that costs are increasing at a much higher rate than funding, which makes it impossible to maintain services at current levels.

“The funding announcement from Welsh Government, though sobering, was not unexpected and in line with our financial modelling.

“This situation is one that we have long been preparing for and an area in which this council has a positive track record of success.

“Though difficult and unpalatable decisions lie ahead, there is also an opportunity to find new and innovative ways to deliver our services and better serve our residents.

“As the budget is finalised over the next few months, what will remain an absolute priority is maintaining services for those in our communities that need them most.

“We will always make sure our children, older people and those with additional needs are properly looked after.”