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They will be setting up stands at four popular public venues in the county borough in December. The aim is to give people living and working in Neath Port Talbot an opportunity to talk to the Council Leader, Cabinet Member for Finance, Performance & Social Justice, and other Cabinet Members to find out about the context in which the council’s budget is set and the things that influence it.

The dates, times and venues are:

• Thurs 7 Dec (2.00pm to 4.00pm) - Neath Leisure Centre, Water Street, Neath SA11 3EP
• Fri 8 Dec (12.3pm to 2.30pm) - Cymmer Afan Community Library, Station Road, Cymmer, Port Talbot SA13 3HR
• Thurs 14 Dec (2.00pm to 4.00pm) - Aberafan Shopping Centre, Port Talbot SA13 1PB
• Fri 15 Dec (12.30pm to 2.30pm) - Pontardawe Heritage and Visitor Centre, The Old Stables, Swansea, United Kingdom, SA8 4EB (lane off The Cross / Herbert Street)

Council Leader, Cllr. Steve Hunt, said:

“The Chancellor’s recent Autumn Statement wasn’t good news for local councils as it made clear the UK Government’s intention to support tax cuts rather than provide additional funding for public services.

“Without extra money from the UK and Welsh Governments, the council, like others across the UK, will once again face a multi-million pound budget shortfall next year and in the years to come.

“Rainbow Coalition members would welcome the opportunity to talk to people living and working in Neath Port Talbot, to explain the context in which next year’s council budget will be set, talk about some of the options for balancing the budget, answer questions and listen to any ideas people might have about how to increase income or tackle expenditure.”

Cllr. Simon Knoyle, Cabinet Member for Finance, Performance & Social Justice added:

“Each year the council has a legal responsibility to set a balanced budget. This is a complex process. There are some costs that are outside of our control, many of which have risen dramatically in recent years, some services we have a legal duty to provide, and others that we want to keep on providing as we know they are valued by our communities.

“The council will be consulting on a set of budget proposals for 2024-25 soon.

“As an Administration, we want to be upfront about the situation we, along with other local authorities across Wales and the UK, are in. So before the council’s formal consultation begins, we want to go out into our communities, explain the situation, get feedback and suggestions and answer questions.

“We have been trying out new ideas to engage with people living and working in Neath Port Talbot, so I welcome the opportunity to talk to people face-to-face at these roadshows.”

In addition to the face to face events, the council will be using its social media accounts, e-newsletter and website to reach out to people online. People can keep up to date on Facebook @NeathPortTalbotCBC or @CyngorCnPT, Twitter @NPTCouncil or @CyngorCnPT and www.npt.gov.uk.