More could be done to “squeeze” the council’s budget and reduce the burden on council tax payers, a former council leader has said.

During debate on the draft budget for Pembrokeshire County Council’s coming year, Cllr John Davies said there was more to be done to make savings with the “significant burden” council tax rises have on some people.

He also added that the council’s increases should be considered alongside likely increases from the police and crime commissioner and from town and community councils.

He added that £6.9m was moved to reserves last year when the last council tax rise came in and “you under estimate your income” which was put at £129million last year but ended being £11million above that figure.

“When you look at all these element of fact it does make the chamber question could we squeeze more?” he added.

“This authority is still middle manager heavy as far as I’m concerned,” said Cllr Tony Wilcox who also raised questions about the potential £91,000 salary for a director of regeneration.

Cabinet member for finance Clr. Bob Kilmister said he was “100 per cent certain” that the draft would alter again with the final Welsh Government settlement due on December 19.

Despite expecting it not to offer radical change he added it was hoped “this will improve matters.”

Savings of £15.5m – of a £19.6m funding gap – had been identified for 2019-20 with a “significant amount” having to be funded by council tax.

A band D property will see a rise of 10 per cent or £98.28 a year which will still mean Pembrokeshire has the “lowest council tax in Wales,” said Clr. Kilmister.

Clr. Kilmister added that the ‘flatlining’ of the social services and schools budget would result in real-term cuts.

It equated to a reduction of seven per cent for social services and six per cent for schools.

Concerns about cuts to school staff before funding is received were raised by Clr. Michelle Bateman, and Clr. Kilmister agreed this could happen.

“There’s real risk that schools will cut jobs and someone half way through the year will come along and say here’s the money. How can I deal with that? We have to deal with what we have,” he added.

Reference to potentially charging for post 16 transport was a “tax on rural areas,” said Clr. Michael John.

“For those that say ‘pay more, get less services,’ I completely agree. This is the real affect austerity has produced across the UK,” said Clr. Kilmister.

The draft budget was approved and a consultation will be launched including live Facebook events, sessions at Haverfodwest’s new library and questions to Cllr Kilmister.

No final decision on the budget will be taken until February 21, 2019.