We, the residents of Wrexham county borough, wish to formally express our strong opposition to the increase in council tax. At a time when many households are already facing significant financial pressure due to rising living costs, this additional burden risks causing serious hardship for families across our community.

The ongoing cost-of-living challenges—including higher energy bills, food prices, and housing costs—have left many families struggling to make ends meet. The increase in council tax will disproportionately affect low- and middle-income households, pensioners on fixed incomes, and vulnerable residents who have little flexibility in their budgets. For many, this rise will mean difficult choices between essential needs such as heating, food, and other basic necessities.

In addition to financial pressures, residents are increasingly concerned about the standard of local services. Many feel that core issues remain unresolved, including ongoing crime and anti-social behaviour that continue to affect safety and quality of life. There are also widespread concerns about housing repairs falling behind schedule, leaving some residents living in unsuitable or deteriorating conditions for extended periods.

Essential services such as waste collection are also being impacted, with missed bin collections becoming more frequent in some areas. This not only causes inconvenience but also raises concerns about hygiene and environmental health. Furthermore, the condition of local roads has noticeably declined, with potholes and general deterioration creating safety hazards for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike.

In addition, we are deeply concerned about the lack of adequate funding and support for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) in local schools. Despite increasing council tax demands, many schools are struggling to provide the necessary resources, staffing, and specialist support that SEN pupils require. This is leaving vulnerable children without the support they need to succeed and placing additional strain on teachers, parents, and the wider education system.

Given these ongoing challenges, many residents question whether the increase in council tax is justified without clear and visible improvements in service delivery. 

Council tax is a necessary contribution to maintain vital local services. However, the high increase without clear justification, transparency, or demonstrable improvements in services undermine public trust and disproportionately affect low- and middle-income households, as well as vulnerable individuals.

Now is the time for residents to make a stand against these continual rises. Communities cannot be expected to absorb endless increases without question, and it is vital that our collective voice is heard. By standing together, we can demand fairer, more responsible decision-making and ensure that residents are no longer treated as an unlimited source of revenue.