MPs have called for local referendums on proposed council tax rises above five per cent in Wales, following the approval of a nearly 10 per cent council tax rise.
Denbighshire Council in Wales has approved a 9.34 per cent council tax rise, which Conservative MPs in Wales have branded “excessive”.
In a joint statement, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Local Government, Sam Rowlands MS, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for North Wales, Darren Millar MS and Gareth Davies MS for the Vale of Clwyd said: “This council tax rise is excessive, particularly given the current cost of living pressures faced by the people of North Wales.
“The Labour Welsh Government gave North Wales a rough deal with lower council funding settlements than local authorities in South Wales.
Denbighshire Council in Wales has approved a 9.34 per cent council tax rise
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“The Welsh Government should require councils in Wales to hold a local referendum on any proposed council tax rises of more than five per cent, as is the case in England.
"That would give the people of Denbighshire the opportunity to have their say on this inflation-busting increase.”
However, the council said it has been treated unfairly by the UK Government.
Cabinet member for finance and Plaid Cymru councillor Gwyneth Ellis was highly critical of the UK’s Tory Government.
She said: “The reason it has been such an uncomfortable process, of course, is the fact that the cost of maintaining the council services has increased by nearly £25million since last year.
“It is a massive amount. But we’ve got to remember it is not a problem created by Denbighshire County Council.
"The government in Westminster has chosen not to fund local government fairly.”
A UK Government spokesperson said: “The Welsh Government funds Welsh councils and is currently receiving a record £18billion per year settlement from the UK Government – the largest in the history of devolution."
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The Welsh Government receives around 20 per cent more per person than equivalent UK Government spending in other parts of the UK, translating into £3.5billion more per year on average, according to HM Treasury.
GB News has contacted Denbighshire Council asking for comment.
