Council Tax Explained 2023
The Council has agreed a budget for 2023/24, and is planning to invest a total of £182million into providing services for the people of Blaenau Gwent.
The agreed budget will increase funding for Social Services (£4.5m), schools (£2m), Education (£1m) and Environmental Services (£5m) to fund cost pressures being experienced as a result of the cost of living crisis, with high inflation and increasing utility costs. The budget for the Council Tax Reduction Scheme has been maintained at £10m to provide financial assistance to eligible local residents.
For the next financial year, the Council has recognised the impact the rising cost of living is having on already stretched household budgets, and has agreed to support the budget with a contribution from reserves of £4.2m. This has allowed the Council to minimise the increase in Council Tax levied by Blaenau Gwent CBC to 3.45% for 2023/24, one of the lowest increases in Wales.
The Council will continue to monitor budgets closely throughout 2023/2024, and for the medium term, the Council is continuing with its strategic financial programme called Bridging the Gap, which will enable it to plan its spending in line with its funding. Within this framework, the Council will be looking at further ways to achieve reduced costs and increase income, whilst mitigating the impact on services.
Budget proposals for future years will be developed using a “One Council” approach, undertaking a series of reviews and consultations to inform options.
Your Council Tax Bill 2023/2024
Comparison of 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 Estimated Net Revenue Expenditure.
|
Portfolio |
2022/ 2023 |
2023/ 2024 |
% Increase |
|
|
£000 |
£000 |
|
|
Corporate Services |
18,922 |
18,633 |
-1.53% |
|
Social Services |
49,655 |
54,065 |
8.88% |
|
Active Living and Learning |
65,014 |
69,011 |
6.15% |
|
Economy |
1,324 |
1,356 |
2.42% |
|
Environment |
24,715 |
29,260 |
18.39% |
|
Planning & Licensing |
1,538 |
1,693 |
10.08% |
|
Other |
6,544 |
7,832 |
19.68% |
|
Total Net Revenue Expenditure |
167,712 |
181,850 |
|
How the Budget is Funded
Comparison of 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 Estimated Net Revenue Expenditure.
|
Funding Source |
2023 / 2024 |
|
|
|
£000 |
% |
|
Council Tax |
38,063 |
20.9 |
|
Revenue Support Grant |
117,692 |
64.7 |
|
Reserves |
4,057 |
2.2 |
|
NNDR |
22,038 |
12.1 |
|
Total |
181,850 |
100.0 |
Capital Expenditure
In 2023/2024 the Council estimates that it's total Capital Expenditure will be as follows:
|
|
2022/23 |
2023/24 |
|
|
£000 |
£000 |
|
Other Services |
73,260 |
74,300 |
|
Total |
73,260 |
74,300 |
Estimated Financial Reserves
Revenue Reserves – dedicated general reserves are estimated to stand at £13.6 million at the year end.
Standard Spending Assessments
The Councils Standard Spending Assessment for 2023/2024 has been determined by the National Assembly for Wales as £162,716 for 2022/23 and £171,843 for 2023/2024.
Authority’s Budget Requirement
The Authority’s budget requirement for the year 2022/2023 is £167,713 and for 2023/2024 is £181,850.
Council Tax For Each Area 2023/2024
|
Band/ Community |
A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
F |
G |
H |
I |
|
Abertillery & Llanhilleth |
1477.64 |
1723.91 |
1970.19 |
2216.46 |
2709.01 |
3201.55 |
3694.10 |
4432.92 |
5171.74 |
|
Brynmawr |
1452.85 |
1695.00 |
1937.14 |
2179.28 |
2663.56 |
3147.85 |
3632.13 |
4358.56 |
5084.99 |
|
Nantyglo & Blaina |
1458.44 |
1701.51 |
1944.59 |
2187.66 |
2673.81 |
3159.95 |
3646.10 |
4375.32 |
5104.54 |
|
Tredegar |
1458.32 |
1701.37 |
1944.43 |
2187.48 |
2673.59 |
3159.69 |
3645.80 |
4374.96 |
5104.12 |
|
Ebbw Vale / Cwm / Beaufort |
1435.92 |
1675.24 |
1914.56 |
2153.88 |
2632.52 |
3111.16 |
3589.80 |
4307.76 |
5025.72 |
Precepts and Levies
The following bodies have precepted upon Blaenau Gwent CBC:
|
|
2022/23 |
Band D Equivalent |
2023/24 |
Band D Equivalent |
|
Gwent Police |
6,342,390 |
303.80 |
6,752,190 |
324.52 |
|
Abertillery & Llanhilleth Community Council |
289,000 |
62.10 |
289,000 |
62.58 |
|
Brynmawr Town Council |
43,000 |
25.24 |
43,000 |
25.40 |
|
Nantyglo & Blaina Town Council |
84,700 |
31.17 |
91,170 |
33.78 |
|
Tredegar Town Council |
138,401 |
29.17 |
159,161 |
33.60 |
The following bodies have levied the sums indicated on the Council
|
Organisation |
2022/2023 |
2023/2024 |
% Increase |
|
Brecon Beacons National Park |
32,130 |
32,130 |
0 |
|
Fire Service |
3,547,672 |
3,953,469 |
11.44 |
|
Coroner's Court |
125,123 |
152,010 |
21.49 |
|
Total |
3,704,925 |
4,137,609 |
11.68 |