PEOPLE in Neath Port Talbot will be able to find out more about council services and how the current financial situations could impact them as the council heads out to local venues.

Member of Neath Port Talbot Council will be visiting a number of venues in the county this month to allow people who live and work in the county a chance to talk to the council leader, cabinet member for finance, performance and social justice and other cabinet members about the council’s budget, how it is set and what influences it.

Cllr Steve Hunt, the council’s leader, said: “The chancellor’s recent autumn statement wasn’t good news for local councils as it made clear the UK Government’s intention to support tax cuts rather than provide additional funding for public services.

“Without extra money from the UK and Welsh Governments, the council, like others across the UK, will once again face a multi-million-pound budget shortfall next year and in the years to come.

“Rainbow Coalition members would welcome the opportunity to talk to people living and working in Neath Port Talbot, to explain the context in which next year’s council budget will be set, talk about some of the options for balancing the budget, answer questions and listen to any ideas people might have about how to increase income or tackle expenditure.”

Cllr Simon Knoyle, cabinet member for finance, performance and social justice, said: “Each year the council has a legal responsibility to set a balanced budget. This is a complex process. There are some costs that are outside of our control, many of which have risen dramatically in recent years, some services we have a legal duty to provide, and others that we want to keep on providing as we know they are valued by our communities.

“The council will be consulting on a set of budget proposals for 2024-25 soon.

“As an administration, we want to be upfront about the situation we, along with other local authorities across Wales and the UK, are in. So before the council’s formal consultation begins, we want to go out into our communities, explain the situation, get feedback and suggestions and answer questions.

“We have been trying out new ideas to engage with people living and working in Neath Port Talbot, so I welcome the opportunity to talk to people face-to-face at these roadshows.”

The first roadshows were held in Neath and Port Talbot.

There will be one at Aberafan Shopping Centre in Port Talbot on Thursday, December 14 from 2pm to 4pm and at Pontardawe Heritage and Visitor Centre on Friday, December 15 from 12.30pm to 2.30pm.