RESIDENTS of the Vale of Glamorgan are not happy with a large hike in council tax this year, and some have spoken out over it.
Recently, the authority agreed to introduce a 6.5% council tax increase for the 2026-27 year – one of the highest council tax increases in Wales.
It comes in two parts with a 5.5% base increase and the further 1% being ring-fenced for spending on rural buses and youth services. The increase equates to an extra £2.07 per week for a band D household.
Despite the large increase Vale of Glamorgan is 17th out of the 22 Welsh counties in terms of council tax charges.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) has spoken to Vale residents in Penarth and Barry and many were not happy with the increase.
In Barry, Stuart Kirby, 64, told the LDRS: “I think it’s disgusting because what we get for a service from the Vale of Glamorgan Council is appalling.”
He continued: “They cut back on all sorts of things. You look at the town centre – there’s nothing here.”
Mr Kirby went on to say he has seen no improvements in Barry despite council tax increases.
He said: “If you saw improvements and you got quality for what you paid for, you don’t mind paying for quality, but we’re paying for absolute rubbish.”
Similar sentiments were shared by Janet Byrne, 75, who told the LDRS: “I think any increase by the Vale is disgusting because we’ve got less and less services over the years.”
She criticised the rubbish in the streets of Barry and the council’s waste collection service.
Ms Bryne said: “The black bag collections in the summer are a nightmare because they’re full of maggots because it’s every three weeks.
“I just think the whole thing is disgusting.”
She also took issue with the state of the roads in the town, which she called “terrible” due to potholes.
These points were echoed by Rachel Bayrak, 40, who said: “We pay more and more every year and get less and less services.
“The town [Barry] is a mess.”
She took issue with what she sees as the council prioritising house-building over other services.
Ms Bayrak said: “Considering we’re the largest town in Wales we’ve got nothing basically.”
In Penarth, Geraint Jones, 45, told the LDRS: “It’s hard to understand what they do for the money we pay and it doesn’t feel as though Penarth is as well-maintained as it used to be.”
He continued: “I’ve lived [in Penarth] for 20 years and it used to be a lot cleaner, a lot nicer, a lot more maintained but currently it hasn’t felt as though they are investing enough money.”
However, some residents were more receptive to the council tax increases.
Jeremy Wilcock, 47, said: “Obviously I’d rather that they didn’t go up – same with any tax isn’t it?”
He continued that he was okay with the increase “as long as we see some benefit from the taxes going up”.
He added: “I particularly like the fact that youth services are going to have ring-fenced funding because I think that’s a real area of concern at the moment.”
Clare John, 72, said: “I think we get a lot of services that are not properly recognised and acknowledged.”
She continued: “I am personally happy to pay the increase.
“Obviously the increase has happened because of years of underfunding by central government.
“I’m very happy to pay the extra for us to maintain the services.”
Photo: Vale Council.
Leader of Vale of Glamorgan council Lis Burnett told the LDRS: “We understand the concerns of residents and the pressures many households are under across the UK.”
She added: “The current financial climate remains extremely challenging for local authorities following more than a decade of budget cuts, rising costs, and increasing demand for essential services.
“Around two-thirds of the council’s budget comes from a financial settlement from Welsh Government with a far smaller proportion made up from council tax contributions and a share of business rates from across Wales.
“In recent years reduced resources have been prioritised for our most vulnerable residents, in particular specialist provision for children with additional learning needs (ALN) and supporting those who require social care.
“Despite these challenges, we are continuing to invest in the areas that matter most to residents.
“Our latest budget includes £11m worth of funding over the next five years for improvements to highways and public realm, including road maintenance and pothole repairs, as well as ongoing work to enhance the cleanliness and appearance of our streets.
“There is also money earmarked for improved streetlighting, schools, older persons’ accommodation, and new council homes.
“Earlier this year the council also launched a new street-cleaning operation increasing resources and introducing more targeted approaches to improve standards across the Vale.
“A programme of deep cleaning has already begun in Barry targeting rear lanes and the town centre with Penarth, Cowbridge, and Llantwit Major set for the same treatment over the next couple of months.
“The council’s waste collection operation is among the best in Wales in terms of recycling performance and from April 13 the Vale will become one of the first Welsh local authorities to launch a new soft plastics recycling system county-wide.”
By Kieran Molloy and staff reporter.
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