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Online or on paper – have your say on NPT Council’s Draft Budget 2023-24
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02 February 2023
An online questionnaire, an online public meeting and paper questionnaires and feedback boxes in public buildings around the county borough - Neath Port Talbot Council is offering a number options for people to have their say on its draft budget proposals for 2023-24.
The draft proposals have been developed to address a budget shortfall of approximately £24 million next year and the council is urging people to take the time to share their feedback as part of its public consultation which closes at midnight on Friday 10th February.
The headlines are no reduction in services, no job losses, and an increase in the budgets for both Social Services and Schools. The draft budget also proposes measures to fund the extra costs associated with bringing Celtic Leisure back in-house and to keep indoor leisure services open next year, and an increase in fees and charges in line with inflation.
The council is also proposing to use almost £5m from its reserves to keep Council Tax rises as low as possible, however a 4.5% increase is required to meet the increased costs of the Fire Service (representing 1.8% of the 4.5% increase) as well as keeping services open.
Councillor Simon Knoyle, Cabinet Member for Finance, Performance and Social Justice said:
"Whilst the Provisional Local Government settlement for Neath Port Talbot was better than expected, this is still the most difficult budget to set since austerity measures began.
“We want to know what people think of the proposals, how the proposals might affect people if they go ahead and any suggestions for additional ways to ease pressure on the budget.”
Councillor Steve Hunt, the Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council added:
“We know that people in the county borough care about council services and how they are provided and I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to give us their views so far. There just over a week left to have your say before the survey closes on Friday 10 February, and I would really encourage everyone to do so and to join us in our virtual public meeting on the evening of Monday 6 February, which will be an opportunity to ask questions and share ideas."
More information on the proposals and a link to an online feedback form can be found at www.npt.gov.uk/budget.
The online public meeting will take place at 6.30pm on Monday 6 February - please email LetsTalk@npt.gov.uk to request the link.
Paper copies of the questionnaire and boxes for posting these can be found at public buildings across the county borough, including libraries, civic centres, Celtic Leisure buildings and others.