Flintshire council tax is rising. Schools face cuts due to budget issues, despite increased social care funding.
Social care funding increased by £11 million, a twelve percent rise. This increase is needed to help vulnerable people, as more elderly people and children now require support.
Flintshire got the fourth-lowest settlement in Wales and campaigned for more money, subsequently receiving an extra £1.2 million. A funding floor was introduced after the campaign.
The council still expects a £23 million deficit, projected for 2025/26, and predicts a £19 million gap each year for 2026/27 and 2027/28.
Council leader Dave Hughes called it a tough budget, admitting some decisions were very upsetting. He emphasized that the Welsh Government money was not enough, noting that Flintshire is the third lowest funded council.
Council members made difficult choices they disliked, and a tense meeting saw arguments for and against cuts. Councilors needed to keep services while making costs affordable.
Councilor Paul Johnson said the budget affected people, especially those in his ward with high poverty where poverty is rising. People in his ward need social services access, and the council is in a difficult situation.
Councilors feel bad about their decisions. One councilor will take responsibility and hopes others will do the same, as bankruptcy was a real possibility discussed at the meeting.
A balanced budget avoided Section 114, an order that forces deeper cuts and significantly higher tax increases. External monitors would help balance the books under such an order.
Some people believe other choices existed. One councilor, Lib Dem group leader Andrew Parkhurst, said schools already get less funding, which is not acceptable. Parkhurst believes families struggle financially right now and money is being wasted. He cited legal fees for a dog ban issue and £800,000 spent on illegal waste cleanup on council land.
Parkhurst wanted to lower council tax weekly by £8.29 for Band D. Around £600,000 would go back to schools, and Mold, Holywell, and Talacre toilets would stay open, but a vote rejected his plan.
Other members also criticized the budget plans. Independent councilor Andy Hughes spoke out, saying the council failed residents financially and claimed residents bear the burden.
Schools and transport face budget cuts, with service levels decreased along with the cuts. Hughes also mentioned increased council spending with cabinet expansion and hopes residents will hold them accountable.
Councilor Carol Ellis said taxpayers should not pay, calling it a bad situation and stating that costs always pass to the residents. She highlighted that this latest is the third cut for education.
Staff teach outside their subject area, and high schools and primary schools lost staff. True Independents leader Dave Mackie mentioned that Flintshire will have low per-pupil spending.
Mackie noted that schools may not cope with another cut, according to schools he has spoken to. Flintshire’s delegated school budgets are already low—a 2.5 percent cut drops them lower than Bridgend.
Deputy leader Richard Jones offered a possible solution: money may go to schools if teacher pay raises are low. The council set aside money for a four percent pay raise, but if the actual pay raise is less, schools would benefit.
An estimated 2.8 percent raise adds £600,000. Councilor Sean Bibby emphasized that councilors must balance the budget and pay for and deliver services.