Speaking in the Senedd Chamber just before Christmas, Joel James MS, South Wales Central Senedd Member shared his disappointment in Rhondda Cynon Taf Country Borough Council who have just over £255 million in usable reserves.
As the Member pointed out, these vast reserves are sat in a bank account while there are residents in the Rhondda and elsewhere in the county borough struggling to make ends meet, especially over the festive season.
Joel James MS also highlighted to the Cabinet Secretary that the Labour-run council has voted again to increase its council tax next year by just under 5%, despite residents living in RCT paying some of the highest Council Tax rates in the country.
Questioning the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Mark Drakeford MS, Joel asked: "Do you agree with me that it is immoral for this council to have such vast reserves when there are people living within Rhondda Cynon Taf who will be deciding whether or not to heat their homes or have a warm meal this Christmas".
To watch Joel's full contribution, please click here.
Speaking about his Chamber contribution, Joel James MS said:
It's a FACT that residents living in RCT pay some of the highest Council Tax rates in the country.
It's a FACT that Rhondda Cynon Taf Council sits on one of the largest financial reserves of any Council in the country - a staggering £255,000,000.
I questioned the former First Minister, Mark Drakeford, about this issue in the Welsh Parliament just before Christmas - unsurprisingly, Welsh Labour continues to offer excuses.
I'll keep raising this issue in the Chamber and hold accountable those whose actions do not reflect the views of our communities, ensuring that poor decisions do not go unnoticed.
