The leader of Pembrokeshire County Council has revealed that the authority will need to find an extra £13 million worth of savings over the next two financial years as a result of this week's Welsh Government Budget Settlement.

Clr. Jamie Adams said that the council had originally planned cost reductions totalling £7 million in 2014 - 2015 and 2015 - 2016.

These reductions were assessed on the basis of the Welsh Government grant increasing by one per cent in 2014 - 2015, as indicated by the Minister as part of the previous year's budget.

But a 3.8 per cent cut in Pembrokeshire's settlement from Cardiff announced last week means that Pembrokeshire will now have to save £20 million over the same two years.

"What we were planning for six months ago has now changed quite dramatically," he said.

"This all means that we going to be presented with a number of challenges and they are challenges we are going to have to accept," he told a meeting of the full council last Thursday.

"We have to play a part in making savings during these austere times. We are not immune from the cuts."

He also said that while not underestimating the size of the task ahead, it also presented the council with an opportunity to reshape the services it provides to ensure they are sustainable in the future.

He called on members to work together over the coming months to minimise the impact on council services.

After the meeting, Clr. Adams said: "The budget cuts must be the priority for all elected members and I hope they will focus on this issue rather than the political games some have pursued in recent weeks."

He added that although data released by the Welsh Government indicated a grant reduction of 3.8 per cent to Pembrokeshire, these were cash figures.

Due to inflation, the 'real' reduction he said was some two per cent higher.

A full report on the settlement will be considered by cabinet at its meeting on November 4.