NEWPORT'S council boss Matthew Evans has slammed the amount the authority will get from the Assembly for front-line services next year as "woefully inadequate".

Torfaen's council leader Cllr Bob Wellington warned of possible service reductions and job losses.

Local authorities in Gwent are likely to get a total of £763.9 million to spend on areas such as education, social services and refuse collection.

Blaenau Gwent is in line for the smallest increase of just 1.5 per cent on this year's settlement.

But the other four authorities are also due to get rises of less than the current rate of inflation of more than five per cent although experts are forecasting it will drop sharply next year.

"This is a truly wretched settlement," said Cllr Evans. "Last week the minister referred to an economic blizzard that is hitting the country.

"Well, to get through a blizzard you need snow ploughs and gritters - this announcement leaves us with a shovel and a handful of salt."

Cllr Evans described the settlement as woefully inadequate for the situation they faced adding it had put the authority in an extremely difficult situation as they tried to plan for the coming year.

Cllr Wellington said they were extremely disappointed with the 2.4 per cent increase which was way below inflation, barely covered increased energy costs and did not even cover expected pay increases for employees.

“This settlement will put enormous pressure on council budgets and will force unpopular decisions on possible service reductions and job losses. We know this will affect our most vulnerable citizens and key council services."

Cllr Wellington said the council would be lobbying the local AM and the Assembly very hard over the coming weeks.

Caerphilly's leader Cllr Lindsay Whittle said they knew this year's settlement was going to be difficult but the additional pressures because of the current financial climate meant they needed to be extra prudent to ensure quality services.

Gwent authority breakdown

  • Blaenau Gwent: £104.6 million, a 1.5 per cent increase
  • Newport: £189.4 million, a 2.5 per cent increase
  • Torfaen: £128.1 million , a 2.4 per cent increase
  • Monmouthshire: £97.2 million, a 3.7 per cent increase
  • Caerphilly: £244.6 million, a 2.7 per cent increase