A LEADING councillor says he will battle to ensure Wrexham residents do not face a “double whammy” of council tax and rent rises next April.
It has been suggested the tax rise could be about three per cent and that local authority tenants could also be hit by a possible rent hike of more than seven per cent.
In response Independent councillor Mark Pritchard, lead member for housing, said: “I understand the council could be looking at a tax increase of 3.2 per cent, but I and members of my group want to see the rise kept to less than three per cent.
“As for council rents, the Welsh Government sets a benchmark figure each year for increases, which I understand could be 6.6 per cent for next year. I also believe some members want this to be one per cent higher.
“Speaking as lead member for housing, I certainly would not support a rent rise of over seven per cent for our 11,500 tenants.
“Coming on top of whatever council tax rise is decided that would mean a double whammy for them at a time when many people are already facing real financial pressure because of the national economy.”
Council leader, Liberal Democrat councillor Ron Davies, said: “I have heard rumours the Welsh Government’s benchmark figure for rent increases could be between five and seven per cent but as yet nothing has been confirmed.
“Usually, our increase is about one per cent higher than that because our rents have traditionally been lower than other areas and we are trying to gradually catch up. We will await guidance from the government.”
Cllr Davies said the council’s budget, which will eventually reflect the tax rise, was currently out to consultation with a range of interested parties and, for discussion purposes, this included a notional three per cent rise.
He added: “Nothing has yet been decided and the matter has not been discussed fully within the Liberal Democrat group.”