Councillor’s motion to devolve Crown Estate to Wales passes unopposed in Flintshire

Flintshire County Council has become the tenth local authority in Wales to vote in favour of transferring control of the Crown Estate to Wales.

The motion, tabled by Councillor Simon Jones (Labour), was discussed and passed unopposed during a full council meeting on Tuesday.

The Crown Estate owns significant land and water assets across Wales, including areas in Flintshire such as the Dee Estuary, Talacre, and land holdings in Bagillt and Trelogan.

As part of its extensive portfolio, the estate profits from renewable energy projects and other commercial activities on its land and coastal waters.

Flintshire’s motion aligns with growing public support for devolution.

A 2023 YouGov poll found that 75% of people in Wales back transferring control of the estate, while campaign groups such as YesCymru and Siarter Cartrefi have long called for its management to be handed to the Welsh Government.

Supporters argue that, as in Scotland—where control was devolved in 2016—profits from the estate should directly benefit local communities rather than being sent to the UK Treasury.

Currently, up to 75% of the revenue generated by the Crown Estate in Wales goes to the UK Treasury, with the remaining 25% allocated to the monarch.

A 2023 Freedom of Information request revealed that the estate’s value in Wales had reached £853 million, with offshore wind and marine energy accounting for 93% of this.

Flintshire’s motion calls for profits from the estate to be shared equitably among Welsh local authorities to support social needs.

It also instructs the council leader to write to the Welsh Government and MPs and MSs representing Flintshire, urging them to push for devolution.

Despite Welsh Labour’s stated commitment to devolution, the UK Labour Government has not yet engaged in discussions on the issue.

Treasury Minister Lord Livermore recently suggested that transferring control would complicate investment in Welsh waters, a position that has frustrated campaigners.

Campaign pressure continues to mount, with Plaid Cymru MP Liz Saville Roberts, former Labour MP Beth Winter, and the Welsh housing justice charter Siarter Cartrefi leading calls for devolution earlier this year.

Actor and activist Michael Sheen has also endorsed the campaign, arguing that the wealth generated from Welsh land and waters should directly benefit Welsh communities.

Gwynedd Council has been particularly vocal, describing the £160,000 paid to the Crown Estate last year as “immoral” given the financial pressures facing Welsh local authorities.

Supporters of devolution argue that profits from offshore wind and renewable energy could be used to address poverty and inequality across Wales.

Councillor Jones also welcomed Flintshire’s backing for a separate motion to return the quarries aggregate levy fund to Wales. He said:

“I am also pleased to say that a motion to return the quarries aggregate levy fund to Wales also passed.

“This money, which was previously awarded to the county of Flintshire, was grabbed by the Conservative-Lib Dem coalition in 2011 and redirected to Westminster.

“I am a firm believer that taxes raised in Wales should be spent in and by the people of Wales.”

With ten local councils now in support, campaigners hope Flintshire’s decision will add further pressure on the UK Government to reconsider its stance.

YesCymru Chair Phyl Griffiths said:

“I’m incredibly heartened to see a growing number of Welsh authorities calling for us to be given the same consideration as Scotland, which has already been granted control over its Crown Estate.”

“Having this enormous income-generating power would be a transformational step in changing our fortunes.”

“YesCymru has pledged to continue supporting this campaign and encourages everyone to contact their local councillors to back this initiative.”

“While £853 million will not resolve all our problems, it would undoubtedly be a better use of the money to invest it for the benefit of Welsh communities.”

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