Sylvia Stevenson, along with her husband Ian, expressed their concern over the impact of rising council taxes on their household finances. Sylvia mentioned that their council tax bill now surpasses the amount they pay for utilities, mentioning that this increase has been unexpected and greater than anticipated. In Swansea, where they reside, the average council tax for 2025-26 has risen by 5.9%, contributing to a larger 7.2% average uplift for all councils, the second largest increase since 2003. A resident in Conwy county even described the 10% rise in council tax as “diabolical.”
Despite the increase in council tax, Sylvia highlighted the persisting issues in the community, such as the presence of potholes on roads and the lack of proper rubbish bins for waste disposal. Ian acknowledged the challenges faced by councils in managing their finances and providing essential services to residents. Gwenda Murray from Penmaenmawr echoed similar sentiments, expressing her dissatisfaction with the poor quality of services despite the high taxes levied by the council.
Ed Lye from Penmaenmawr also voiced his discontent over the consecutive years of substantial increases in council tax, understanding the financial constraints faced by councils in generating revenue. Josh Davies, a small business owner from Swansea, stated that the additional cost incurred due to higher council tax comes “on top of everything else”, highlighting the increased financial burden faced by households. The couple emphasized the need for improvements in parking facilities and rubbish collection services in the city.
The Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) acknowledged the financial pressures on councils, attributing the need for increased council tax to the rising demand for services coupled with economic uncertainties. The forecasted additional pressures for the upcoming financial year are expected to exceed £450m, emphasizing the need for fairer and sustainable long-term funding solutions to bridge the funding gap. The WLGA stressed that relying solely on council tax revenues is unsustainable in addressing the financial challenges faced by local governments
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