Monmouth AM Nick Ramsay has called on the Welsh Government to review the way it calculates local authority funding, saying the region is unfairly treated.

The Conservative AM hit out at the scheme, which he says leaves Monmouthshire and rural areas shortchanged by cuts to local authority grants set for the coming financial year.

In his role as Shadow Finance Minister, Mr Ramsay recently questioned the Welsh Government on how it would mitigate for a two per cent cut to local government budgets.

Speaking at the Assembly on Tuesday [jan 19], he said, “The two per cent cut is going to cause serious hardship, but worst of all that hardship is unevenly spread, and will disproportionately affect rural authorities.”

Under the Welsh Government’s proposals for 22 local authorities, Monmouthshire County Council’s budget is to be slashed by 3.1 per cent, or £2.9m. Ceredigion’s shortfall totals 3.4 per cent, whilst worst-hit Powys will receive the biggest cut at 4.1 per cent.

The Tory AM, who was recently reminded to temper his conduct during a plenary session, said he was “particularly concerned with the rural authority situation”, warning that he would vote against budget proposals unless his concerns were addressed.

Mr Ramsay pointed out the smallest budget cuts fell upon urban authorities, with Cardiff enjoying the smallest trim of 0.1 per cent. Newport and Merthyr Tydfil were among the lowest affected, with 0.7 per cent and 0.9 per cent cuts respectively.

The Monmouth AM called for a new formula which took into account the cost differences of delivering rural services.

“This isn’t a good settlement for rural Wales and it will be difficult for [the Conservatives] to support it.

“I think the people of Wales deserve to know why this Welsh Government continues to allow rural authorities to be hardest hit!”, he said.

The Welsh Government is set to announce its Budget proposals later this month.