Flintshire councillors slam proposed ‘record’ 9.5% council tax hike

A group of councillors have condemned a proposed 9.5% increase in council tax by the Labour-Independent coalition running Flintshire Council, calling it the highest rise in the county’s history.

Cllr Sam Swash, leader of Flintshire People’s Voice FPV, said: “Flintshire deserves better than ever higher council tax, and ever worse services.

This budget shows that the coalition have no ideas or ambition for Flintshire, other than to cling on to power while our county suffers at the hands of their policy of managed decline.”

Cllr Alasdair Ibbotson (FPV, Penyffordd) argued that the Labour-led administration could no longer shift responsibility elsewhere.

He said: “There’s nowhere left for Labour to hide – they’re in control in Flintshire, in Cardiff and in Westminster. They can’t blame the Tories any more – this tax rise, and these cuts, are all theirs.”

FPV councillors have also raised concerns over cuts to school budgets, warning that financial pressures have already led to larger class sizes and the cancellation of some subjects.

Cllr Carolyn Preece (FPV, Buckley Bistre West) said: “This is the third year that real-terms cuts to schools have been proposed in Flintshire.

Ask any teacher, and they’ll tell you that budgets are now so stretched that schools are barely able to do the basics.

“The coalition could have found the money elsewhere – like Flintshire People’s Voice councillors argued for last year – but they’ve decided to target children.”

Call to cut councillor payments

FPV have tabled a motion to reduce the number of councillors receiving additional payments for cabinet roles.

Cllr Gillian Brockley (FPV, Hawarden & Aston) criticised the administration’s spending priorities, stating: “They’re not targeting waste, but instead are going after public services while hiking council tax.

“Meanwhile, Labour and the Independents have presided over a 25% increase in the money paid to cabinet members. Their message to the residents of Flintshire is ‘you take the pain, while we take the money’. That’s indefensible.”

The council is set to vote on the budget and council tax proposals for 2025/26 on Monday 24 February.