County councillors were expected to green-light major changes to this year’s budget, after a ‘difficult process’ shaped by local residents’ voices.

A Cabinet meeting yesterday (Wednesday) outlined a draft budget ahead of consideration by the full council in early March.

In a statement released before yesterday’s meeting, MCC announced that proposed charges for blue badge holders would not go ahead. And that car parking charges on Sundays would be free for the first two hours, and £1 for the rest of the day—crushing two controversial proposals met with public ire.

Underlining ongoing financial constraints, Councillor Phil Murphy, cabinet member for resources, said ahead of yesterday’s meeting that MCC is down £600,000 compared to last year.

MCC, however, was expected to commit to a raft of investments, including fully funding school pay and pension increases by almost £2m; funnelling £1.2m to social care; an extra £300,000 for disability grants; a further £1.2m for highway maintenance, and £100,000 to help high street traders with business rates relief.

Other measures were expected to include completing Abergavenny town hub, the King Henry VIII school development, and form a new post office in Usk’s community hub.

Before the meeting, Councillor Murphy said that MCC would get £600,000 less this year, on top of £6m in additional costs, and almost £4m needed for pay increases, before adding — “We have had to find a savings package totalling some £10.2 million.”

 

“I would like to thank all of the people who have shared their feedback with us. We have listened to you. The proposed changes to the budget that we are considering are based on what you’ve told us matters to you. Monmouthshire receives the lowest funding per head of population of any local authority in Wales – since 2013/14 the council’s revenue support grant, the core funding received from central government, has reduced considerably.

“The largest reduction of any local authority in Wales – with such significant budget cuts listening to our residents is more important than ever. Our approach continues to be to change, improve and adapt our services rather than to close them down. We refuse to lose our ambition for the county although financial realities are restraining our abilities somewhat.”