James Evans has labelled public services as “broken” amid news that Powys residents could be hit with a 13.5 per cent council tax rise next year.

The council says the major increase is necessary to ensure they can deliver “critical public services” amid “extraordinary financial pressures” and a shortfall of £13.5 million in its budget.

Leader of the council, Cllr James Gibson-Watt said the funding settlement to be received by Powys from the Welsh Government - which will increase by 3.2 per cent - is not enough to bridge the funding gap. This is below the Welsh average of 4.3 per cent.

He also said the council tax rise will not be enough by itself to balance the books, and warned that “some difficult and potentially unpopular decisions” will also need to be taken.

Mr Evans, MS for Brecon and Radnorshire, said the proposed tax increase was “staggering” as residents are made to pay more while getting “fewer and fewer services” in return.

“Vital services have been slashed. Whether that is community recycling facilities, the worsening state of our crumbling back roads, less gritting in adverse weather and the threat of closure for some of our leisure centres,” said Mr Evans.

“Meanwhile, the Welsh Government continues to waste money, whether it’s £179 million propping up a failing Cardiff Airport, £32 million spent on introducing 20mph speed limits, £120 million or more on more politicians in the Senedd, and £135 million on a road to nowhere.

Mr Evans said he would not be “doing any deals” with the Welsh Government.

He said: “Public services are broken while the Welsh Government chooses to focus on vanity projects and wasteful spending. I will not be doing any deals with the Welsh Government, as the Lib Dems are peddling. I want a complete change of Government - not crumbs from a failing Welsh Labour administration table.

“Welsh Labour is breaking Wales and it’s time for real change after 2026.”