Adult social care will receive extra funding if Ceredigion County Council’s budget is approved.

As the budget-setting process moves towards its final sign-off by full council, all scrutiny committees met to look at their service areas on Thursday, 13 February.

An extra £2.5 million for adult social care in 2020/21 was welcomed by members as council leader Cllr Ellen ap Gwynn highlighted the 2.2 per cent “uplift” for all directorates.

Fees and charges were also under discussion, which includes an extra 10p to 20p on most daily car parking charges across the county, with the equivalent added to weekly parking passes.

Higher increases on charges for vans and larger vehicles are proposed, with rates rising around five to eight per cent.

An increase in the cost of musical instrumental lessons for siblings was questioned by Cllr Gareth Davies, who was concerned about affordability.

The cost for the first child in a family having lessons is £140 a year, with a second child’s fees rising from £70 to £100.

It was an idea discussed with the Friends of Ceredigion Music Service, schools lead officer Meinir Ebbsworth said, as a way to ensure the sustainability of the service.

How to make the most of the council’s assets and generate income from them will continue to be developed in the coming financial year, the meeting heard.

Cllr Keith Davies called for £20,000 for Llandysul’s swimming pool to be included in the budget, but his proposal was not backed by committee.

The pool has been taken over by the community and the “sustainability” of the authority’s other pools needed to be considered in future, said Cllr Hag Harries.

“The number of swimming pools is not sustainable and we’ve never really bitten the bullet strategically on this,” he added.

Leader of the opposition, Cllr Ceredig Davies argued that the budget was a “fait accompli” with the council tax recommendation of a four per cent rise decided.

The draft plan, including council tax and the Welsh Government settlement, would see an extra £7m in the council’s core budget.

The full council will meet on 5 March.