Cyngor Gwynedd Sets its Budget for the 2025 26 Financial Year

At a meeting of the Full Council today (6 March 2025), Cyngor Gwynedd members have approved a recommendation to set a budget of approximately £356.82 million for the coming financial year.

This budget will be funded through a combination of Welsh Government grants and Council Tax, and it will allow the Council to provide essential services for the people of Gwynedd, such as educating local children, providing waste and recycling collection services, gritting the county’s roads, providing home care to vulnerable individuals, and much more.

Again this year, Cyngor Gwynedd has seen costs continuing to mount, for instance the increase in employer National Insurance contributions has led to an additional cost of £4.5 million for the authority and the electricity bills of schools, libraries, care homes and other Council buildings are also going up. Further compounding the situation, the demand for services is also increasing, for example there are more vulnerable children who require care packages, more older people in need support such as home care, and homelessness continues to be a serious problem in the county.

As the increase in the money received from the Government has not kept up with the increase in costs, Gwynedd Councillors have voted to bridge this financial gap through a combination of service cuts, savings and increasing the Council Tax by 8.66%.

Councillor Huw Wyn Jones, Cyngor Gwynedd's Cabinet Member for Finance, said:

"Over the past decade, Cyngor Gwynedd has had to cut almost a quarter of our day-to-day revenue budget, which equates to approximately £74 million. Our essential services are being eroded as the money we receive from the Government does not increase at the same rate as our costs or the increase in demand.

"The report presented to members today explained that we as a Council need to increase our spending by £25.8 million in order to provide the same level of service as last year for the people of Gwynedd, as costs are higher, and more people require our support. However, we are only receiving an additional £8.6 million from the Government.

"We are legally required to set a balanced budget for 2025/26, and as a consequence of these factors, we must continue to search for every way to cut our costs and unfortunately also increase the tax.

"Despite this difficult financial position, I am pleased that we as a Council have committed to safeguard school budgets and care services for vulnerable adults and children."

Councillor Nia Jeffreys, Leader of the Council, added: "None of us want to see tax increases and I am concerned that there are households in Gwynedd which are finding it difficult to make ends meet. 

"It is important that everyone knows that support is available for people who are suffering as a result of the cost-of-living crisis. If you are finding it difficult to pay your Council tax bill, please contact the Council's Tax Service to see if there is anything that can be done to help. It may be possible to make special payment arrangements or you may be eligible for reduction or exception. You can contact the team through the Council's website or by phoning 01286 682700.

"In addition, help is available with other living costs, such as how to claim benefits, help to keep your home warm and support to go on-line to find the best offers. A lot of information is available on the Cyngor Gwynedd website www.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/CostOfLivingCrisis or please visit one of the Community Hubs across the county."

Notes

An increase of 8.66% in Council Tax equates to an annual increase of £2.92, or £152.02 annually; with a Band D property paying £1,907.47 in Council Tax for 2025/26.

The increase of 8.66% in the Council Tax includes an increase of 0.43% in the contribution to North Wales Fire and Rescue Service.