A commissioner at the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) Authority has said there is a “line in the sand” and it has to “cut its coat according to its cloth” while discussing next year’s budget.
Baroness Deborah Wilcox of Newport was speaking at a fire authority meeting, where an increase of 5.75% in the amount the 10 councils contribute to SWFRS’s budget was approved.
The four commissioners approved budget proposals for 2025-26 which will see the amount local councils contribute increase by £5.5 milion to £101.34 million.
The report assumed the Welsh Government would transfer additional national insurance contribution funding to constituent councils in the final local government settlement but authority was granted to the treasurer to make adjustments if things changed.
It said without the change to national insurance contributions, the underlying like-for-like increase in the revenue budget would be 4.08%.
The agreed budget means a 7.66% (£1.77m) rise for Cardiff from £23.14 million to £24.91 million and a 5.42% rise (£449,920) in the Vale of Glamorgan from £8.3 million to £8.75 milion.
In Bridgend, there will be a rise of 4.88% (£443,715) from £9.08 million to £9.53 million.
The increased contributions for 2025-26 are based on updated population data for each of the ten councils in the region.
The report said without the changes to national insurance contributions, the budget would have meant lower increases to the local authorities ranging from as low as 2.29% for Merthyr Tydfil to 5.96% for Cardiff.
Lady Wilcox said they need a medium-term financial plan and “we need to look at halting our projects”.
She said previous meetings have discussed putting a moratorium on taking anything forward because contracts hadn’t been signed.
She added: “I just feel it’s more than enough time for us to say the fire authority has to cut its coat according to its cloth. Local government has received disastrous cuts over the past decade.”
Lady Wilcox said they can’t go on doing the things the same way and engagement with local authorities has to start a lot earlier.
She said they need to understand there’s a limitation on funding for SWFRS.
“We have to look at what we’re doing,” she said. “We have to look at what we’re paying and we have to look at whether it’s good value for money for the public and for public service.”
Lady Wilcox said she thinks it’s a “line in the sand” now where they have to look at things differently going forward.
Pink poppy display commences with celebration of life
Former Barry office block converted into new homes for people at risk of homelessness
Welsh Government publishes independent report on Level 4 intervention at Cardiff and Vale UHB
Three CoastSnap stations set to be installed along the Glamorgan Heritage Coast
Daffodil Runner statue installed at Marie Curie Hospice in Penarth
Woman Dies After Incident in Leckwith as Police Investigation Continues
Vale entrepreneur wins national Innovate UK award for sustainable construction technology
Cardiff Airport retains top accessibility rating as regulator reports record demand for assistance
Open Doors event to showcase hidden world of Glamorgan Archives
New details have emerged of a new tree-lined public square that will replace a traffic dominated junction
Dyffryn Gardens’ Edwardian rose garden blooms again after decade-long restoration
Barry’s Own Daniel White to Walk 190 Miles Back to Where His Round Table Story Began
1,300 people attend Flying Start Family Fun Day
Dispersal order put in place to tackle anti-social behaviour
Interim Chief Executive Appointed at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Cardiff Theatre Marks 50 Years of Service for Long‑Standing Staff Member
Council to review use of GP letters as evidence for disability claims
Plans have been put in place to redevelop a complex with more than 20 flats
Vale Council Reaccredited Under White Ribbon Scheme as Part of Ongoing Work to Tackle Violence Against Women and Girls
Two Vale Restaurants Among Those Set to Close as Whitbread Shuts Brewers Fayre and Beefeater Chains
