Flintshire Council Tax looks set to increase by 9.1%

Ahead of Flintshire County Council's cabinet meeting next week (February 20), details of the budget proposals for 2024/25 have been released. 

Last month, the local authority detailed a budget gap of £12.8m and proposed cuts across the board to meet the financial pressures. 

The council's Financial Officer said there was a "greater reliance" on Council Tax following increased demands on homelessness and out-of-county placements. 

In the budget report that will be presented next week, the authority has proposed to increase the Council Tax by 9.1% for next year, which equates to an extra £2.66 a week. 

The rise provides the local authority with a net yield of £9.072m, which plays a large part in the budget being met for next year. 

Eight per cent of the rise is taken for council services, while an additional 1.1% is required for contributions to North Wales Fire and Rescue Service and the Coroners Office.

With the authority needing to make an £11m contribution to the Fire Service next year, the cabinet member for Finance, Cllr Paul Johnson called for change to the current process. 

He said: "The fire levy is incorporated in the council tax and in the past we've communicated to the Welsh Government that as it is in England, the fire levy should be separate from the council tax.

"When people look at it they'll think it's all coming from the council when in fact we have no control over the fire levy. 

"The policy of the council is that it should be levied separately."

Neal Cockerton

With the proposals for the increased Council Tax amid the current cost of living crisis, the council's Chief Executive Neal Cockerton stressed that there were services available for those who need them. 

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He said: "If there are issues or concerns that residents are facing then there are services within the council that will be there to support them, assist them, and to signpost them if the others aren't there. 

"It's about reassurance that we are looking after our communities as best we're able to really.

"It's not a surprise that this has been the most challenging budget process that we've experienced in Flintshire. 

"It has taken a lot of work and consideration around the options going to be put forward."