Anglesey’s council tax could rise by 9.5%, impacting local residents’ bills significantly. A decision is expected in March after public consultations.
Anglesey: So, the council is looking at a 9.5% tax hike. If it goes through, folks in Band D homes will pay over £1,700 a year. That’s a big jump!
They also want to keep the tax on empty and second homes at 100%. This is part of their budget plan for 2025/26, which they discussed in Llangefni.
They’ll finalize the budget in February, and the full council will vote on it in March. After that, there’ll be a public consultation to get feedback.
The proposed increase includes an 8.85% rise from the council and a bit more for the fire service. It’s a tough situation, and the council leader said they need this to keep things running smoothly.
With this rise, the Band D charge would hit £1,721.70 a year. That’s about £2.87 a week. It’s not just about raising money; they want to help first-time buyers too.
They’re planning to use funds from second homes to support locals trying to buy their first house. The overall budget is set at £195.2 million, which is a big increase from last year.
There’s been some good news from the Welsh Government with a 3.6% funding increase. But the council still feels it’s not enough to meet their needs.
It’s been a real challenge to balance the budget. The council leader mentioned that no one wants to raise taxes, but they have to make tough choices.
They’re facing a funding gap of over £10 million. If they relied solely on tax increases, it would mean a whopping 20% rise!
Despite the headlines about the 9.5% rise, it’s actually one of the lowest in Wales. They’re trying to keep things fair for everyone.
