The Pembrokeshire Conservative group at County Hall have called for a lower council tax burden on the people of Pembrokeshire by placing an amendment to the current cabinet’s proposal.

It comes as part of a proposal to increase the education budget by £6.6 million in the next financial year, along with greater savings from reforming the leisure services in Pembrokeshire.

The proposal would see Pembrokeshire tax payers hit with a lower increase of 7.5%, compared to the original recommendation of a 9.85% increase.

The Conservative proposal would also see debt and interest payments reduced by disposing of unused and empty council buildings as well as a commitment to only proceed with projects relating to net zero if they have a clear financial benefit to the council.

Cllr Aled Thomas, the group spokesman for finance said: “It’s clear from the proposals on the table that the Independent Group joint with the Labour leaning administration are happy to work together to see the continued managed decline of the council, rather than work hard for the people of Pembrokeshire.

“Every day this council asks for more money from residents and provides them less in return, that mindset has to stop and a change is clearly needed.”

“What’s even more disappointing is around 2.5% of this years council tax increase will be going straight to Rachel Reeves’ coffers in Westminster as a result of National Insurance increases and won’t be spent on Pembrokeshire services.”

At a meeting of Full Council on February 20 it was agreed to reconvene to set the budget for 2025-26 on Thursday, March 6.

As part of their alternative budget proposals, the Conservatives group have also announced a proposal to increase the education budget by £6.6 million in the next financial year.

The significant boost aims to enhance the quality of education and mitigate any unnecessary redundancies of key school staff.

The proposed budget increase is expected to support various educational initiatives, including the improvement of school facilities, the enhancement of learning materials, and the introduction of new programs to support student development.

The additional funds will ensure that schools in Pembrokeshire can continue to offer high-quality education to all students, fostering a nurturing and conducive learning environment.

Cllr Di Clements, Conservative group leader expressed her enthusiasm for the proposal, stating: “Investing in our children's education is investing in our future. This £6.6 million boost will provide our schools with the necessary resources to improve and expand their offerings, ensuring our students receive the best possible education.”

Cllr Rhys Jordan also voiced his support, highlighting the importance of this investment.

"Education is the cornerstone of a thriving community, and the closest thing we have to a ‘Silver Bullet’ for many of todays problems,” he said.

“By increasing the schools' budget, we are taking a crucial step towards empowering our educators and students, and ultimately, strengthening our society."

The Pembrokeshire Conservative group believe that this proposed budget increase is a vital investment in the future of the county's children and their education and they are committed to working closely with schools and educational institutions to ensure that the funds are used effectively and efficiently to benefit all students.

Further details about the proposal and its implementation will be discussed at the county council meeting on March 6.