RESIDENTS in Powys will face a 4.8 per-cent council tax rise  from April 1.

Just before the Powys County Council (PCC) full council meeting started on Friday, February 28, a report suggesting that the council tax be lowered from 5 per-cent to 4.8 per-cent was introduced to councillors.

In the report portfolio holder for finance Cllr Aled Davies (Conservative – Llanrhaedr-ym-Mochnant & Llansilin) said that this drop would mean a reduction in £152,000 in the income PCC receives from council tax.

But this is expected to be covered by being more efficient and collecting more council tax from second homes and empty properties.

The inclusion of the amendment threw the meeting into confusion as, according to the rules, amendments need to be submitted the night before a meeting.

PCC chairman, Cllr Beverley Baynham (Independent – Presteign) had to stop proceedings to receive legal advice after councillors pointed out the issue.

Cllr Baynham was told that debate could continue as the proposed amendment was small and amounted to just 0.05 per-cent of the total budget of just under £270million.

Cllr Pete Roberts (Liberal Democrat – Llandrindod South) said that the chair only had discretion to move amendments that rose from debate in the chamber.”

Head of legal and democratic services, Clive Pinney, advised an adjournment to provide advice.

Following the break, Cllr Baynham told Cllr Roberts that he was right and the amendment was thrown out.

Then discussion went back to the original 5 per-cent council tax increase proposal.

Discussion continued after lunch, Cllr Elwyn Vaughan (Plaid Cymru – Glantwymyn) argued that people in Powys can’t cope with continual council tax rises.

He said that if this trend continued it would amount to 40 per-cent rise by the next PCC election in 2022.

Cllr Vaughan said: “PCC has received an income of £1.4m through council tax from summer houses to date, the council tax needs to be increased to the maximum possible and thereby generating £700,000 a year of additional income.

“The Council needs a viable and effective planning department to be able to work in favour of the economy and not to destroy it and undermine the workforce by cutting salaries of up to £6,000.”

Cllr Davies replied: “I wanted to see an affordable council tax and I have re-considered the 5 per-cent and I am recommending a lower rate of Council Tax to 4.8 per-cent.”

“We’ve heard many voices around the chamber that are concerned about the council tax level and I want to make a minor amendment to the budget.”

His amendment was seconded by Cllr Tim van Rees (Independent – Llanwrtyd Wells).

Again, Cllr Baynham asked for legal advice.

“I’m satisfied we’ve had a debate and we’ve had a long debate about the proposal and I am prepared to accept it,” said Cllr Baynham.

Cllr Vaughan added: “I welcome the principle, but this is the same amendment as this morning.

“I thought it was clear that a proposal had to come out of the meeting, if someone said 4.6 or 4.7 per-cent, it would have come from the debate, it’s not really a new amendment.”

The vote was taken and it was passed by 34 votes to 29 with one abstention.

Bills will be issued after a meeting of the council on Thursday.