The Council has approved its budget for 2025/2026 and is planning to invest a total of £197m into providing services for the people of Blaenau Gwent. The budget protects vital frontline services and delivers significant investment into the education of our young people with an increase to schools of £4.67m (8.45%) and extra funding for leisure services run by Aneurin Leisure Trust.
The agreed budget will see direct funding for:
Social Services - £55.8m
Education and Schools - £72.4m (£61m of which is provided directly to schools)
Leisure & Library Services - £3.65m
Environmental Services - £29m
Council Tax contributes £42.7m (22%) towards the overall cost of delivering services. The Council’s element of the Council Tax bill increases by 4.95%, resulting in an increase per household in a Band D property of an additional £1.82 per week. The vast majority of properties across Blaenau Gwent are either in Band A or B which means their weekly increase will be £1.22 & £1.42 respectively. The Council Tax Reduction Scheme budget has also been increased to continue providing financial assistance with the cost of council tax to eligible residents on low income. The scheme supports around 8,200 households.
The medium-term financial forecast for the next four years is challenging with a funding gap of £11m. 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, this will also involve closer working with Torfaen County Borough Council.
Your Council Tax Bill 2025/2026
Comparison of 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 Estimated Net Revenue Expenditure.
|
Portfolio |
2024/ 2025 |
2025/ 2026 |
% Increase |
|
|
£000 |
£000 |
|
|
Corporate Services |
26,293 |
27,039 |
2.84 |
|
Social Services |
53,159 |
55,832 |
5.03 |
|
Education |
69,032 |
76,081 |
10.12 |
|
Economy |
470 |
244 |
-48.09 |
|
Environment |
28,183 |
29,246 |
3.77 |
|
Planning & Licensing |
1,269 |
1,289 |
1.59 |
|
Other |
7,224 |
7,578 |
3.32 |
|
Total Net Revenue Expenditure |
185,740 |
197,246 |
|
How the Budget is Funded
|
Funding Source |
2025 / 2026 |
|
|
|
£000 |
% |
|
Council Tax |
42,712 |
21.7 |
|
Revenue Support Grant |
130,414 |
66.1 |
|
Reserves |
0.00 |
0 |
|
NNDR |
24,120 |
12.2 |
|
Total |
197,246 |
100.0 |
Capital Expenditure
In 2025/2026 the Council estimates that it's total Capital Expenditure will be as follows:
|
|
2024/25 |
2025/26 |
|
|
£000 |
£000 |
|
Other Services |
38,927 |
34,643 |
|
Total |
38,297 |
34,643 |
Estimated Financial Reserves
Revenue Reserves – dedicated general reserves are estimated to stand at £12.5 million at the year end.
Standard Spending Assessments
The Councils Standard Spending Assessment has been determined by the Senedd as £178,361 for 2024/2025 and £192,490 for 2025/26.
Authority’s Budget Requirement
The Authority’s budget requirement for the year 2024/2025 is £185,740 and £197,038 for 2025/26.
Council Tax For Each Area 2025/2026
|
Band/ Community |
A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
F |
G |
H |
I |
|
Abertillery & Llanhilleth |
1656.63 |
1932.72 |
2208.84 |
2484.94 |
3037.16 |
3589.35 |
4141.57 |
4969.88 |
5,798.19 |
|
Brynmawr |
1613.94 |
1882.92 |
2151.92 |
2420.91 |
2958.90 |
3496.87 |
4034.85 |
4841.82 |
5,648.79 |
|
Nantyglo & Blaina |
1620.38 |
1890.43 |
2160.50 |
2429.47 |
2970.69 |
3510.80 |
4050.94 |
4861.120 |
5,671.30 |
|
Tredegar |
1619.65 |
1889.58 |
2159.53 |
2429.47 |
2969.36 |
3509.23 |
4049.12 |
4858.94 |
5,668.76 |
|
Ebbw Vale / Cwm / Beaufort |
1594.81 |
1860.60 |
2126.41 |
2392.21 |
2923.82 |
3455.41 |
3987.02 |
4784.42 |
5,581.82 |
Precepts and Levies
The following bodies have precepted upon Blaenau Gwent CBC:
|
|
2024/25 |
Band D Equivalent |
2025/26 |
Band D Equivalent |
|
Gwent Police |
7,317,677 |
349.52 |
7,317,677 | 377.31 |
|
381,131 |
82.51 |
434,023 | 92.73 | |
|
45,000 |
26.27 |
50,000 | 28.70 | |
|
105,000 |
38.72 |
105,000 | 38.35 | |
|
171,098 |
35.93 |
171,797 | 357.26 |
The following bodies have levied the sums indicated on the Council
|
Organisation |
2024/2025 |
2025/2026 |
% Increase |
|
Brecon Beacons National Park |
32,130 |
33,737 |
5 |
|
Fire Service |
4,167,800 |
4,375,410 |
4.98 |
|
Coroner's Court |
203,399 |
211,299 |
3.88 |
|
Total |
4,403,329 |
4,620,446 |
4.93 |