These are not easy decisions, and we would support the Minister in protecting local government core funding in 2023-24. We also support the basic principles that the Welsh Government has applied in protecting front-line services, jobs and the most vulnerable. As the WLGA we wrote to the Treasury back in the summer making the case for additional funding in Wales and for more flexibilities in the way Wales is funded.

We remain concerned about the programmes which will not proceed and the impact on budgets next year.  Local government budgets are facing a pressure next year of £720m which is about 10% of our net expenditure. The funding available will not cover it all and we face a considerable funding gap. We will be working closely with the Welsh Government to achieve the best possible outcome for local services.

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