Local RecordCymraeg
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Budget and council tax

How the council raises and spends its money, including council tax and savings.

What councils do

Each council sets a budget every year: how much to spend on each service and how much council tax to charge. Council tax pays for about a third; most of the rest is a grant from the Welsh Government and business rates.

Who decides

The Cabinet proposes the budget, usually in the winter, and the full Council agrees it and sets council tax by early March. Scrutiny committees examine the plans first.

Having a say

Most councils run a budget consultation in the autumn or early winter. Your councillors vote on the final budget, so tell them what matters to you.

In numbers

  • Council tax collected: 95% across Wales (2025-26).
  • Business rates collected: 96% across Wales (2025-26).

How each council is doing