On Tuesday, Denbighshire County Council approved a council tax increase of 9.34%, the highest percentage increase in North Wales relative to how much money it gets from the Welsh Government, an increase of 3.7%, compared to Conwy and Gwynedd’s 2% rise. The 9.34% council tax hike is also higher than the average figure across Wales of 8.46%. The Welsh Conservatives are calling on the Labour Welsh Government to implement a cap on council tax rises in Wales. The cap would mean councils would have to hold a local referendum in order to raise council tax above a 5% threshold.
Commenting on the rise, Vale of Clwyd MS Gareth Davies, said:
“This astronomical council tax rise approved by Denbighshire Country Council will be a punishment on hardworking people who are being used to balance the books of councils running deficits due to the Welsh Government’s out of date funding formula.
“Local Government has been devolved to Cardiff Bay since 1999 and it is the decision of the Welsh Government how much funding they provide to councils. They need to protect the Welsh people from tax hikes of the proportions we have seen this year.
“We need swift action from the Welsh Government to place a cap on council tax rises at 5%. Council tax rises of this magnitude are unacceptable and should be subject to a referendum.”
