Council tax in Newport is likely to rise by 2.4 per cent this year after members of the public objected to an even bigger increase.
Newport residents will see their monthly council tax bill go up from April, according to a proposal agreed by the council's cabinet on Friday, February 18.
The 2.4 per cent rise was originally due to be 3.7 per cent - the same as the previous year's - according to draft plans by the cabinet revealed back in January.
However this has been reduced following "overwhelming feedback" from a public consultation.
In total, almost 47 per cent of the 983 respondents - 461 people - said they felt the 3.7 per cent rise would be "too much", while a further 29 per cent said they "didn't know". Around 20 per cent of respondents said the rise was "about right".
Here’s how much extra homes in each band will have to pay in council tax, if the budget is approved, from April (amounts are for those who pay their bills in 12 monthly instalments):
- Band A: £19.90 a year or £1.65 a month
- Band B: £23.20 a year or £1.93 a month
- Band C: £26.50 a year or £2.21 a month
- Band D: £29.81 a year or £2.48 a month
- Band E: £36.40 a year or £3.03 a month
- Band F: £43.10 a year or £3.59 a month
- Band G: £49.70 a year or £4.14 a month
- Band H: £59.63 a year or £4.97 a month
- Band I: £69.57 a year or £5.80 a month
The council's budget for 2022/2023 also includes; £8 million investment in schools in the council area; £6.5m investment in care, support and prevention services; £420,000 to prevent and address homelessness; £377,000 to boost the city centre; over £2.5m to improve parks and open spaces; £200,000 to support climate change and the carbon neutral agenda; and planning for ongoing issues caused by the pandemic.
The budget proposals are expected to be approved at a full council meeting on Tuesday, March 1.
Councillor Jane Mudd, leader of the council, said: “We know that families and individuals across Newport are feeling the pressure of increased living costs, plus the pandemic has also affected the income of many.
“Although council tax makes up less than one-quarter of the council’s budget, we fully appreciate that it represents a considerable bill for residents – so we’ve listened and brought it down even lower.”
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