SHOPPERS have had their say on the prospect of another council tax increase.

The Leader has reported how residents in the Labout-controlled Flintshire Council area could face a council tax hike of up to 15 per cent, or the loss of frontline services, although some additional funding has since been offered by the Welsh Government.

The local authority has launched a #BackTheAsk campaign aimed at securing a more favourable funding deal for Flintshire from national funds next year and in the years ahead.

The subject was raised at the Senedd last week by North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood, the Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Local Government, Mark Isherwood AM, in questions to Alun Davies, Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Public Services.

Conservative Mr Isherwood pointed out all parties represented at County Hall in Mold were supporting the #BackTheAsk campaign.

A Welsh Government spokesman said: “Council tax is just one of a variety of income sources available to councils and we expect them to engage fully with local communities when making choices on budget and services.

“The setting of budgets is a matter for each local authority and they are accountable to their local populations for the decisions they make.”

The spokesman added: “We have worked hard to offer local government the best possible settlement in this ninth year of austerity and in the face of a £850 million cut to our budget over the decade by the UK Government.

“We have been able to reduce the level of cuts councils had been expecting following the final budget last year and have said in the event additional funding is available, local government will be a key priority.

“We have protected local government in Wales from the worst effects of austerity each year since 2010 but we have also underlined the need for every authority to plan for the long-term challenges presented by continued austerity.

Meanwhile, members of the public visiting Mold town centre have shared their views on the possibility of a tax hike for the 2019-20 financial year starting on April 1.

Tina Bevan, 54, of Buckley, said: “They’re greedy. They’re always want, want, want.”

Dave Squires, 49, from New Brighton, Mold, said: “If it was to go into local schools and to improve the area I would have no problem with that.

“But not if it it just going into a pot to be wasted or to cover the deficit.”

Kirsten Jones, 58, from Mold, said: “It is an awful increase and it is a lot more for people to find.

“Wages aren’t going up at the same time.

“I would say have a rethink - if it needs to go up, do it in stages.”

Chris Bevan, 56, from Buckley, said: “I think it would affect people a lot - we’re already paying a lot of money.”

Mel Bignall, 69, of Ewloe, said: “It is ridiculous. It would be a significant impact on people’s income.

“I would find it difficult to hear proper justification for an increase like that.”

Stephen Herd, 60 and from Mold, said: “If it did improve services I would not mind paying more, but not if it goes into a black hole.”

Veronica Hitchin, 73, of Sychdyn, said: “We’re paying more and more and we’re getting less and less.

“I think there are too many pen-pushers and executives at the council and they don’t need them all.

“It is disgusting. They are not interested in the public.”