Pembrokeshire County Council is inviting views on proposed increases to Council Tax for 2018-19.

At its meeting in December 2017, Council members agreed to consider three possible rates of increase for Council Tax to help meet the 2018–19 funding gap of £16.9 million.

Clr. Bob Kilmister, Cabinet Member for Finance, said: “Having delivered savings of £42.6m during the past four years, further cost reductions are becoming increasingly difficult to find without affecting core services like Education and Social Care.

“To date, we have identified £11.2 million of proposed cost reductions, efficiencies and service transformations to be delivered within the financial year 2018–19.

“We welcome the views on these proposals, together with the three possible rates of increase for Council Tax for 2018–19.

“All options will result in some level of reduction in current service provision but we would like to gain an understanding of what householders would find most acceptable.”

The three possible rates of increase for Council Tax for 2018–19 are:

1. 12.5 per cent, which will generate an estimated £5.7 million

2. 8 per ent which will generate an estimated £3.6 million

3. or 5 per cent which will generate an estimated £2.2 million.

A 5 per cent increase will leave an additional £3.5 million pounds worth of cost reductions, efficiencies, service transformations to be identified. An 8 per cent increase will leave an additional £2.1 million pounds to be identified.

To take part in the consultation and find further information, please view www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/haveyoursay

Alternatively, please phone the Council’s Contact Centre on 01437 764551 to request hard copy documents.

The closing date for responses is Friday, February 16.

Responses will be compiled into a report and used to inform an integrated impact assessment.

These documents will be considered by Council at its meeting on March 8, at which a final decision will be made.