Budget Statement following Full Council Meeting

At tonight’s Full Council meeting elected members approved the Council’s budget for 2026/27. Councillors voted to prioritise school budgets, protect vital children and adult’s social care, and strengthen homelessness support, amongst many other things.  

Councillor Brent Carter, Leader of Merthyr Tydfil CBC, said: “It was important for us to maintain service delivery while keeping any Council Tax increase to a minimum, which is the feedback we received from this year’s budget consultation. We’ve listened, and we feel that this budget reflects those voices.

“We have allocated additional funding for ALN support in schools, and we are protecting vital social service functions. We are investing in highways improvements, playgrounds, sports fields, and community facilities. We are also investing in key assets, such as Cyfarthfa Castle and Redhouse.

“We are a Council that listens and puts the needs of our residents first.”

Councillor Anna Williams-Price, Cabinet Member for Financial Sustainability, Assets & Commercial, said: “This year, the Council has balanced the budget without dipping into the general reserves, a major step toward long term financial stability.

“Using reserves year after year is not sustainable, it creates gaps in future budgets, leading to tougher decisions later.

“A stronger financial position benefits the whole community. By not relying on reserves this year, the Council is safeguarding future finances and avoiding passing today’s pressures onto future generations.”

This budget includes a 4.95% increase in Council Tax for Merthyr Tydfil residents, which is slightly lower than the anticipated increase of 5% in the Council’s mid-term financial plan. This means that a Band A household will pay an additional £1.32 per week, a Band B household will pay an additional £1.54 per week, and a Band C household will pay an additional £1.76 per week (Note: 84% of residents in Merthyr Tydfil live in Band A to C properties).