COUNCIL tax in Ceredigion for 2019-2020 will increase by seven per cent.

The increase was agreed by councillors, with two per cent of that increase earmarked to protect education spending.

Schools budgets have been under severe stress and costs have increased yet again following the agreement of new teachers’ salary increases together with increased pension contributions.

The council says the extra two per cent uplift will enable school budgets to be kept flat.

Council leader Ellen ap Gwynn said: “We had no option but to increase council tax by seven per cent in order to reduce the impact of the cuts we have had to make across council budgets.

“A successful Ceredigion in the future needs well-funded and well run schools. We want to invest in the future of our children and our county.

“The reality is that the council is getting less money from the Welsh Government at a time when costs and demand for services are rising. The uplift of teachers’ salaries and pensions has not been fully funded by Welsh Government to date. If council tax had not increased, we would have to make deeper cuts.”

In 2018-2019, the average Council Tax Band D property was £1,226.48. The increase means that the same property will pay £1,312.33 in 2019-2020.

The council will need to save another £6m in the coming financial year.