Budget meeting delayed due to government decision on council tax. £11 million shortfall. New meeting date set for March 4.
The change happened because of a government decision. The government limited council tax increases to 7.49% when the council wanted to raise them by 9.99%. This created an £11 million shortfall.
The council asked for Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) and Parliament must approve this request for extra funds. Parliament was in recess and unavailable.
The council says it learned of the delay very recently and sent a message to members on February 17. The Ministry gave information late last week suggesting approval might not come before February 25.
The meeting starts early because of Ramadan, as Muslim councillors need to break their fast at sunset. The council says the new date still meets legal deadlines for setting council tax by March 11.
Opposition leaders are very unhappy with the delay, saying the council was unprepared. One councillor says they seem unfit to lead, and another says their credibility is low.