Council leader left “furious” as Welsh Government funding announcement hands Wrexham third lowest increase

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.
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 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.”
 
A Welsh Government spokesperson 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.”

By Liam Randall – Local Democracy Reporter