Council Budget 2025/26 update
- Categories : Press Release
- 04 Feb 2025

On Wednesday 26th February 2025, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council’s elected members will be presented with saving proposals to consider, with a view to setting the budget for the upcoming financial year.
At the beginning of 2024, a savings plan was put in place with a target to meet £8.8M of savings. A significant amount of work was done throughout the year to ensure that all proposals identified in the plan would be achievable, and a programme of longer-term savings was identified with the intention of achieving these over a longer period of time. This process has involved careful analysis and strategic planning to ensure that these savings are realised in a sustainable and effective manner.
Setting the budget is hugely challenging with added pressures – particularly around adults and children’s social care – continuing to rise. It is important to acknowledge that some of these pressures are outside of the Council’s control, for example changes in government funding or unexpected economic challenges, however despite these external factors we are committed to ensuring that the council remains on a financially stable footing, and in doing so we have insured the school budgets are protected for 2025/26.
Cabinet Member for Governance and Resources, Councillor Anna Williams-Price, said: “We understand the importance of transparency and inclusivity in decision-making and want to ensure that the community's views are always taken into consideration.
“We’d like to thank all residents who participated in our recent budget consultation. Your input has been incredibly valuable in helping us make informed decisions that serve the needs and priorities of our community. Over the coming year we want an even more comprehensive engagement programme so we can understand the needs of our communities and ensure that every penny of our budget is allocated to the services that need it the most.”
Leader of the Council, Councillor Brent Carter, said: “The increase in the Council’s Budget Settlement from Welsh Government is indeed a positive step, but we must still identify savings to balance the budget.
“We are focussing on the most effective ways to deliver savings and reduce the increasing pressures on services, without compromising on quality. This includes changing the way we work as a council by fundamentally changing our operating model, bringing some functions together and reviewing all expenditure.
“Our savings plan is progressing well. We are confident in achieving our targets for the current year and we will ensure a continued focus on the delivery of savings over the course of the 3 Year Financial Plan.
“In the current financial climate, most Councils have no option but to look at opportunities to generate income. Part of which will include the increase of Council Tax. During our recent budget consultation, we asked resident’s views on how we should prioritise services and set Council Tax for the coming financial year. The results showed that 36% of people would cut services to keep Council Tax to a minimum, with 64% choosing to maintain services, even if it means an increase in Council Tax. With this in mind, this year we are proposing to increase Council Tax by up to 6%. If agreed, the rise would see a Band A household paying up to £1.52 extra per week and a Band D household paying up to £2.28 extra per week.
“This proposal will be made at a Full Council meeting on 26th February, where all 30 elected members will have a vote. Please be rest assured that we’ll be working alongside Council officers right up until then to try and keep the increase as low as we possibly can.
“As Leader, I felt it was important that we let our residents know this ahead of time, to give people the opportunity to plan accordingly for this potential change.
“As always, we appreciate your understanding and support as we continue to work towards maintaining the financial stability of your Council for the future.”