Councillors to consider 4.9 % council tax rise and reduction in street lighting in budget plans

Initial budget plans will be considered at a scrutiny meeting on Wednesday, ahead of the proposals going before the council's executive and then being decided at a full council meeting the following week.

The plans could see council tax increased by 4.9 per cent as the council seeks to plug a £359,000 funding gap.

Raising council tax by 4.9 per cent would generate an additional £730,000, providing a contingency of £370,000, a report says.

This could be used if councillors do not agree all the proposals, the savings do not deliver as expected or towards new cost pressures which emerge.

In a public consultation, more than half (56 per cent) of people said raising council tax by five per cent would be 'unacceptable' or 'totally unacceptable' though.

A reduction in street lighting provision will also be considered.

Switching off street lights at roundabouts and junctions on main roads after midnight could save £40,000.

And turning off all residential street lights at midnight could save a further £75,000.

It comes after a previous decision to turn off street lights on industrial estates proved controversial, with businesses warning it leaves them vulnerable to crime.

Alistair and Katie Waldron at Tafarnaubach Industrial Estate near Tredegar that has no street lighting at night .

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But increasing energy prices have led to a cost pressure of £96,000 on utilities for the authority.

Sports clubs have been told they need to seek community asset transfers by March 31, with the council withdrawing maintenance of the facilities after this date under another proposal.

The proposal aims to reduce costs to the council and provide clubs with direct management of facilities.

Eight ground maintenance staff will no longer be required for maintaining the facilities, a report says.

Out of 24 sports clubs earmarked for transfers, 23 are in the process of being transferred with one in continuing negotiations.

Introducing a 50p charge per day/ per child for children attending school breakfast clubs from September will also be considered, though a preferred option is to keep the current provision.

Residents were asked about proposals to cut the number of lollipop men and women as part of the budget consultation, with 62 per cent wanting to keep the current level.

The council will receive an extra £118,000 from the Welsh Government in April in its final settlement of £110.8million, amounting to a a zero per cent cut.