Taxpayers to learn of payout (From Barry And District News)

Taxpayers to learn of payout

Barry taxpayers will soon learn the true cost of the National Assembly's low annual pay-out.

The Vale of Glam-organ Council is currently reviewing its finances in preparation for setting the budget in February 2005 and determining the level of Council Tax in March 2005.

And officials are already warning that there is a need to "refocus and prioritise" council services, and that the council has to examine its existing service provision and explore a number of "efficiency saving options".

With a budget settlement from the Assem-bly 1.1 percent below the Welsh average (3.7 percent as against 4.8 percent), there is increased pressure at a time when public and government expectations of council services are high.

At this stage, a number of services are subject to review, but no recommendations have been made and no decisions have yet been taken.

A report outlining a range of options will be presented to the Council's Cabinet on December 1, but any changes to service provision will be a matter for full council in February 2005.

Council Leader Cllr Jeffrey James said it is too early to say what the outcome of the budget review would be: "I would like to reassure service users and staff that, as a council, we take our responsibilities very seriously. Any decisions to reduce existing service provision would be taken reluctantly and very much as a last resort.

"Our indicative allocation from the Assembly has been very disappointing and the Council Tax rebanding exercise has also hit Vale residents hard. This is at the same time as we are under increasing pressure to take on more responsibilities and provide more and better services. We now await the final Assembly settlement figures in order that we can develop our response.

"As a Council, we are committed to ensuring our customers receive the best possible level of service and that this is sustained in the future. Our overall aim is to minimise any negative impact on staff and customers and we will be ensuring that this budget review process is carried out in an open and transparent manner."