Councillors in Newport have been urged to hold a local referendum if they push ahead with plans to hike up council tax by 6.7%.
Natasha Asghar MS, who represents South Wales East in the Welsh Parliament, believes it is imperative residents have their say over such a drastic increase.
Plans for the hefty hike comes despite Newport City Council receiving the biggest funding settlement than any other local authority in Wales with an extra £17.5m boost.
The Welsh Conservative politician says squeezing further money out of residents’ pockets whilst simultaneously slashing services is a “painful double blow.”
As well as the proposed council tax increase, the local authority is also exploring cuts to library services and community centres and increasing fees at residential homes and day centres.
Natasha Asghar MS said:
“Drastically hiking up council tax bills for residents across the city whilst also stripping away some of the services available to them is a hugely painful double blow.
“Our local authorities carry out essential work and I sympathise with councils because they have been boxed into this position by the Labour Welsh Government with a flawed funding formula.
“However, if Newport City Council pushes ahead with its excessive 6.7% increase in council tax then a local referendum must take place.”
