Residents can now take part in the second phase of the Council’s annual budget consultation, focusing on a draft strategy that has been proposed for 2026/27. The exercise will enable both online and offline participation, including three face-to-face engagement events in local libraries.
Cabinet considered the draft budget strategy at its meeting on Monday, February 2, which was compiled following January’s more favourable final Local Government settlement from Welsh Government. It addresses a remaining budget gap of £6.46 million for next year – the updated position that considers the extra resources available and updated base budget pressures.
The strategy would set a balanced budget that funds all pay and non-pay pressures for schools, provides an extra £1 million for Additional Learning Needs schools, and increases the level of the Council’s local Non Domestic Rate relief for businesses. It also incorporates further significant efficiency savings identified by officers, includes a council tax rise which is again likely to be one of the lowest in Wales, sets Fees and Charges levels, and proposes to use an earmarked reserve to meet the remaining £911,000 budget gap.
These key elements of the draft budget strategy were summarised in further detail in the following news item, published before Monday’s Cabinet meeting.
Cabinet subsequently agreed for the draft strategy to be the focus of the Council’s phase two budget consultation. This exercise has now started, and residents can take part up until it closes on Thursday, February 12.
The RCT Let’s Talk engagement website will be the main online portal for the consultation. The site will give key information about the budget’s context and background, plus engagement tools to provide feedback – including a survey and polls. There will also be an Easy Read version of the survey.
Officers will also engage a series of key groups during the consultation period – these include the Older Persons Advisory Group and local youth forums.
Meanwhile, face-to-face public ‘drop-in’ events will take place at three of the Council’s libraries, so residents can speak with officers about any aspect of the strategy and receive assistance to fill in a survey. Residents are welcome to attend the following events, visiting at any point and without a need to book:
- Pontypridd Library – Wednesday, February 4 (10am-midday).
- Mountain Ash Library – Friday, February 6 (10am-midday).
- Treorchy Library – Tuesday, February 10 (10am-midday).
Throughout the consultation, the Council’s social media channels will promote the process and encourage public engagement, while emails will be sent to key stakeholders (including the Citizens’ Panel, councillors and staff).
Offline, a telephone consultation option is available through the Council’s contact centre (01443 425014), with individual call-backs offered. Paper surveys and information can be arranged to be sent over the phone, while a consultation Freepost address is available for all postal submissions. Please use Freepost (RUGK-EZZL-ELBH), Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, Third Floor Office, 2 Llys Cadwyn, Pontypridd, CF37 4TH.
Councillor Maureen Webber BEM, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Council Business, said: “Each year, the Council’s two phases of budget consultation are important to help us establish residents’ priority areas. Around 350 people took part in phase one during the autumn, helping officers to compile that draft strategy which is now proposed. It highlights how we could set a legally-balanced budget while fully-funding our schools, providing an extra £1 million for ALN, and increasing the level of the Council’s Non Domestic Rate relief for businesses – while also delivering further significant efficiency savings. This is under the backdrop of continuing pressures on services due to increased demand and a high cost of living.
“The second phase of consultation which is now underway will help us receive feedback on the draft strategy, to inform Cabinet’s final decision-making. This tried and trusted approach enables residents’ input at two key stages of the overall process. Our newly-adopted Involvement Strategy places focus on enabling everyone to have their say, and highlights the importance of mixing online with offline engagement methods. Residents can have their say on the Let’s Talk website, via the phone and by post, and by visiting three public events at our libraries in Pontypridd, Mountain Ash and Treorchy. Officers will also engage separately with older people and young people, via local groups.
“I encourage all interested residents to find out more and have their say on the proposed budget strategy, before the deadline on Thursday, February 12. All feedback received will be presented to Cabinet and carefully considered as we set our legally balanced budget for 2026/27 in the weeks ahead.”
Posted on 03/02/2026