MS has already told Senedd to send more money to Powys

By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporter

The leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats and Mid Wales Senedd Member, Jane Dodds, says she has already asked the Welsh Government to give Powys County Council more money.

Opposition councillors have urged Ms Dodds not to support the Labour Welsh Government’s draft budget proposal unless more money can be found for Powys council.

Joint leaders of the Powys Independents group, Cllrs Beverley Baynham and Ange Williams, have written to both Liberal Democrat leader in Wales, Jane Dodds and Liberal Democrat council leader Cllr James Gibson-Watt, venting their anger over the funding proposal for Powys.

Last Wednesday, December 11, Powys County Council found out that it is set to receive a 3.2% rise in funding for 2025/2026 from the Labour Welsh Government which equates to £7.7million.

This is less than the average funding rise of 4.3% and puts Powys 21 out of 22 local authorities in Wales and could mean that a rise in Council Tax is needed to help the council’s struggling finances.

Cllrs Baynham and Williams have pointed out that the Labour administration in Cardiff Bay will need help in pushing their budget through.

This means that the vote of Ms Dodds as the Senedd Member of Mid and West Wales could be used as a bargaining tool.

Ms Dodds said: “I’ve long believed that local government across Wales is chronically underfunded, which is why, since being elected to the Senedd, I have repeatedly called for more money to be invested in council services.

“Following the publication of the draft budget, I have written to the Welsh Government, urging them to increase funding for local government in the forthcoming budget.

“I will continue to fight for greater investment in councils across Wales, ensuring that councils like Powys County Council are not subjected to an unfair deal.”

Powys council leader, Liberal Democrat Cllr James Gibson-Watt has also been asked for a comment.