THE leader of Wrexham Council has declared himself “furious” after a Welsh Government funding announcement handed the county the third lowest increase in the country.
Ministers in Cardiff Bay revealed their budget spending plans yesterday, which set out a 3.5 per cent rise in the local authority’s settlement up to almost £184.3m for 2020/21.
However, it puts Wrexham at 20th out of the 22 Welsh councils in terms of the uplift received, with Newport sitting top with 5.4 per cent.
Wrexham Council leader Mark Pritchard has expressed his anger over the Welsh Government\'s funding announcement for local authorities. Source: Twitter
Independent council leader Mark Pritchard has voiced his anger at the amount on Twitter and branded it “a disgrace”.
In response to a tweet by members of the local Labour Party, who suggested he was happy with the funding, he said: “Labour Party in Wrexham still peddling lies, I am furious with the settlement from the Welsh Government.
“It’s a disgrace the way Wrexham is being treated receiving crumbs from the table once again.
“Wrexham received 3.5 per cent, 20th in a league of 22, Newport with the highest settlement received 5.4 per cent.
“Maybe the Wrexham Labour Party should tweet the truth about the unfair settlement for Wrexham.”
The Welsh Government announcement includes nearly £4.5bn in core funding for local authorities to spend on frontline services.
The Labour administration in Cardiff said it represented an increase of £184m compared to 2019-20.
The Wrexham Labour Party hits back at council leader Mark Pritchard's comments. Source: Twitter
The Wrexham Labour Party said it was now up to Cllr Pritchard, who oversees a coalition of independents and Conservatives, to improve services after receiving a rise.
In response to his comments, they tweeted: “You have seen an increase in funding. Time to start sorting the town out now Mark.
“You and your Tory mates must start facing scrutiny for your choices and decisions in Wrexham.
“Roads, schools and the town centre are falling apart on your watch.”
Mark Pritchard
Minister for Housing and Local Government, Julie James said: “Local government provides essential services to everyone in Wales, including some of the most vulnerable in our communities.
“Against the continuing constraints and lack of long term certainty for the Welsh Government budget from the UK Government, I am pleased to have been able to increase revenue funding, alongside increased non-domestic rates revenue, to provide additional funding to local authorities of £184m in 2020-21, on a like-for-like basis.
“This additional investment is in recognition of local government’s role as a critical partner for us, with others, in our national mission to improve education, provide the social care services our communities need, combat poverty, deliver a step change in social housing, and creating vibrant and sustainable local communities.”
A Welsh Government spokesman said: “Despite continuing UK Government-driven austerity, the local government settlement for 2020-21 is the best councils have received in more than 10 years – a clear demonstration of our commitment to delivering good quality, integrated public services to the people of Wrexham and the rest of Wales.
“The formula which distributes nearly £4.5bn between the 22 local authorities has been agreed with the Welsh Local Government Association and, on a like-for-like basis, Wrexham Council will receive more than £6m more in 2020-21 than this year.”
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