Welsh Lib Dems today (9th February) voted for a Draft Budget which will pave the way for Powys County Council to receive the joint worst financial settlement of all local authorities in Wales.
In original plans, Powys County Council had received an even deeper cut, but following pressure from the Welsh Conservatives, the Welsh Government has been forced into a retreat on the extent to planned cuts to rural councils.
However, Montgomeryshire AM, Russell George, has suggested that – for rural communities – today’s announcements fall well short of the fundamental reform required, with Powys Council having been penalised for many years under the current framework for calculating the Local Government Settlements.
Montgomeryshire AM, Russell George said:
"Thanks to pressure from the Welsh Conservatives, the Welsh Government has partially reversed their planned cuts to rural councils, but today’s announcement falls well short of our calls for fundamental reform of the local government funding formula.
"Out of 22 Local Authorities in Wales, Powys will receive the joint lowest settlement. For many rural communities, today’s announcement of extra funding will be seen as too little, too late and it’s clear that rural councils are getting a raw deal.
"Since 2012/13, rural Powys has seen a cut of -7.86%, whilst urban councils like Newport have had an increase of +7.07% with Cardiff having an increase of + 3.16%.
"In my view, a child born in Machynlleth or Montgomery should have the same equality of access to a great education as a child born in Cardiff. Vulnerable residents who live in Newtown should have access to the same support that residents have in Rhondda Cynon Taf. The Welsh Government should be a government for the whole of Wales, not just the South Wales Valleys.
"Powys along with Ceredigion have been found to be the most deprived areas in Wales, in terms of accessing local services such as libraries, schools and leisure centres.
"I simply cannot support a budget deal that provides Powys residents with such a raw deal. Wales does not end in the South Wales Valleys, and Welsh Labour should be a government that stands up for all of Wales."
The Welsh Conservatives and Plaid Cymru voted against the Draft Budget, whilst Liberal Democrat AMs abstained from voting, allowing the Welsh Government’s budget to pass to its final stage.