A council tax rise of 2.5 per cent will be put to full council next week, a reduction to previous proposals, after Ceredigion County Council factored in last minute funding from Welsh Government.

Ceredigion will receive an extra £1.1million it heard last week and “being mindful of the additional financial pressures being placed on our residents including current cost of living/inflation and with the new nationals insurance tax being implemented on the 1st of April” a lower increase is proposed, said council leader Cllr Ellen ap Gwynn.

This recommendation was approved by cabinet on Tuesday (22 February) and backed a “pragmatic approach to alleviate pressures for residents for next year’s budget.”

This had been supported at the scrutiny committees last week but Cllr Keith Evans did warn on Tuesday that it would “put more pressure on the next administration.”

A 2.5 per cent rise would see a Band D property charged £1,447.90, up from £1,412.59 with the previous draft budget for 2022/23 worked up on the basis of a 4.75 per cent increase.

Also recommended to full council on 3 March were increases to some fees and charges in line with inflation – with many not to be increased at all – and there will be further discussions about not increasing car parking charges in Lampeter and Llandysul as well as further work around charges for twin hulled vessels.