The impact of cuts to Wales’ capital funding by the UK government are set to be considered by the Council’s Cabinet today.

As a result of reckless cuts to Wales’ capital funding Councillors are set to make tough local decisions to deal with the limited resources now available to support investment in key infrastructure.

Since 2011 Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has seen its Capital Funding fall by over £6M.

Commenting in advance of the Cabinet deliberations this afternoon, County Borough Councillor Anthony Christopher, Leader of the Council said:

“The availability of Capital funding for Wales has been dramatically reduced by the UK government.

“We are therefore faced with delivering a capital programme to support investment in key local infrastructure with a dramatically reduced budget.

“So severe have the cuts been to capital expenditure, that we are faced with having to reduce the number of key priority areas we have to target additional investment and tough decisions are very necessary.

“The UK Government’s failure to prioritise Capital Investment is completely nonsensical, as it is this investment that allows the public sector to not only improve essential services and facilities, but also boost our local economy.

“When their economic policies as a whole are failing to stimulate any growth whatsoever in our economy, the availability of capital investment is key to get our economy moving.

“That is why, despite these devastating cuts, we will continue to invest, with the support of the Welsh Government, in critical infrastructure such as new school buildings and highways, as this supports local businesses and safeguards and creates local jobs.

“If the UK government took similar decisions, the UK economy would get the kick-start it very much needs, but I suspect the Budget Statement by the Chancellor, due on the 20th March will deliver yet more bleak new for Wales’ public sector.”

“Again because our funding has been so significantly reduced we are forced with making reductions in a number of areas with the capital programme, decisions we are taking not through choice but of necessity.

“Despite this tough backdrop we have able to honour our commitments or prioritise investment in highways infrastructure and improved school buildings.”

The proposed new core capital investment programme for 2013/2014 to 2015/16 will deliver almost £16M worth of key infrastructure work and still represents a significant investment of over £48M over the next three years by the Council.

The report to be considered by members this afternoon can be found on the Cabinet Meeting Page
http://www.rctcbc.gov.uk/en/councildemocracy/democracyelections/councill...