A CONTINUED public spending squeeze could leave Powys council facing a £46 million shortfall over the next three years.
That is the message the Independent/Conservative controlled council’s deputy leader Aled Davies has delievered to councillors.
The Conservative group leader outlined the funding pressures facing the council at a budget briefing session held in Llandrindod Wells on Thursday.
That will mean continued tough decisions for the council.
The cabinet member for finance, Councillor Aled Davies said: "We need to plan for increasing demand for services, inflationary pressures and anticipated real terms reductions in our funding from Welsh Government.
“We have modelled a range of funding scenarios to help us understand what funding could be available over the next three years - even with a flat-cash settlement, the pressure of increasing demand for services and inflationary costs will lead to a further squeeze on council resources.
“In developing our service plans we will focus on our priorities and delivering outcomes for our citizens. It is inevitable that the way in which we deliver our services will continue to change and the levels of service offered will be guided by what we can afford.
“The funding scenarios show a funding gap which ranges from £30 million to £46 million over the next three financial years, with an anticipated gap of £8 million - £13million next year.
“The Council is reviewing its whole budget to ensure that we are focusing on what matters most to our citizens and we will be engaging public in this process over the autumn as we develop proposals for managing our financial position.
“Even in challenging times it is essential that the council continues to invest in services, we will see further capital investment in our schools, housing and road network will provide opportunities for the local economy and create jobs.”
The majority of the council’s funding is recieved from the Welsh Government but its total budget is set by the UK government.