Key services set for funding windfall

SWANSEA Council has said record investment in key services is on the cards for the coming year as the authority plans its spending for the year ahead.

- JAMES ARNOTT Print editor

Schools, care and community services are all set to benefit from an extra £27.4m - or a 5.2% increase - in funding.

Under plans being seen by the council's cabinet on Friday, the extra money will help deal with inflationary pressures, raised energy costs and increased demand for services.

Rob Stewart, leader of Swansea Council, said: “Our budget proposals mean we'll be spending an average of just under £2.4m a day on essential services that mean so much to the people of Swansea.

“Whether it’s our schools or care services, our roads, keeping our streets clean or looking after our parks and libraries, the council is focussed on making the extra investment pay off for the people of our city.”

The 5.2% like-for-like increase in funding from the Welsh Government will be considered by cabinet and if the report is approved, it will go out to the public for consultation.