Welsh budget agreement secures more funding for Flintshire Council
Flintshire Council is among nine local authorities in Wales set to receive additional funding under a £100m budget deal between the Welsh Government and Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds MS.
The agreement secures a guaranteed 3.8% funding increase for Flintshire and eight other councils, addressing concerns over low provisional settlements and providing greater financial stability for local services.
The funding boost comes as part of the Welsh Government’s final budget for 2025-26, which will be voted on in the Senedd on 4 March.
Flintshire Council had previously raised concerns over its disappointing provisional settlement, advocating alongside other councils and the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) for the introduction of a funding floor mechanism.
Flintshire residents are set to face a 9.5% council tax increase in the 2025/26 financial year as the council works to close an £18m funding gap, the highest rise in the county’s history.
Senior councillors will meet on 24 February to discuss the proposal, which will then go to the full council for a final decision the same day. If approved, the increase will mean that a Band D household will pay an extra £157.53 per year, bringing the total to £1,815.78.
A Flintshire Council spokesperson said:
“Due to our disappointing provisional settlement, the Council (alongside other Welsh Councils and the Welsh Local Government Association) has made representations to Welsh Government for the inclusion of a significant Funding Floor in the Final Settlement.
“Due to the need to safeguard the Council against a challenging future funding outlook, it is recommended that any additional funding provided is included as a budgeted contribution to Unearmarked Reserves.
“This would have the dual benefit of replenishing our much-depleted reserves in the short term and also build in some resilience to our budget over the medium term.”
A verbal update on the final settlement is expected at the next council meeting on on 24 February.
The table below shows the adjusted figures following the 3.8% uplift for Flintshire.
The additional funding announced by the Welsh Government on Wednesday adds a further £1.2 million to Flintshire Council’s budget.
The council will now receive £10.1 million more than last year.
| Unitary Authority | 2024-25 Final Aggregate External Finance (£000) | 2025-26 Final Aggregate External Finance (£000) | Change (£000) | % Change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isle of Anglesey | 130,907 | 135,881 | 4,974 | 3.8% | 14 |
| Gwynedd | 239,296 | 248,390 | 9,093 | 3.8% | 14 |
| Conwy | 210,992 | 219,010 | 8,018 | 3.8% | 14 |
| Denbighshire | 205,729 | 215,251 | 9,522 | 4.6% | 8 |
| Flintshire | 265,881 | 275,984 | 10,103 | 3.8% | 14 |
| Wrexham | 239,206 | 249,508 | 10,302 | 4.3% | 11 |
| Powys | 242,255 | 251,461 | 9,206 | 3.8% | 14 |
| Ceredigion | 138,945 | 144,225 | 5,280 | 3.8% | 14 |
| Pembrokeshire | 224,985 | 233,534 | 8,549 | 3.8% | 14 |
| Carmarthenshire | 360,749 | 375,692 | 14,943 | 4.1% | 12 |
| Swansea | 446,796 | 468,409 | 21,613 | 4.8% | 4 |
| Neath Port Talbot | 293,059 | 306,177 | 13,118 | 4.5% | 10 |
| Bridgend | 266,326 | 276,528 | 10,201 | 3.8% | 13 |
| The Vale of Glamorgan | 216,231 | 224,448 | 8,217 | 3.8% | 14 |
| Rhondda Cynon Taf | 497,404 | 521,329 | 23,925 | 4.8% | 5 |
| Merthyr Tydfil | 126,901 | 133,144 | 6,243 | 4.9% | 3 |
| Caerphilly | 357,689 | 373,900 | 16,210 | 4.5% | 9 |
| Blaenau Gwent | 147,468 | 154,534 | 7,066 | 4.8% | 6 |
| Torfaen | 183,439 | 192,216 | 8,777 | 4.8% | 7 |
| Monmouthshire | 130,297 | 135,248 | 4,951 | 3.8% | 14 |
| Newport | 311,915 | 329,322 | 17,408 | 5.6% | 1 |
| Cardiff | 640,911 | 674,886 | 33,975 | 5.3% | 2 |
| Total unitary authorities | 5,877,384 | 6,139,078 | 261,694 | 4.5% |
What else is included in the budget agreement?
The budget deal, which was crucial to securing passage of the Welsh Government’s £26bn spending plan, includes funding commitments for a range of public services and infrastructure projects across Wales.
Key measures include:
£30m for childcare, supporting the expansion of the Flying Start programme and increasing the hourly rate for childcare providers to £6.40 per hour.
£30m for social care, aimed at reducing hospital discharge delays and improving community-based care.
£15m to introduce a £1 bus fare scheme for young people aged 21 and under.
£5m to improve playgrounds and play facilities for children.
£5m to help leisure centres become more energy efficient.
£10m for rural investment schemes.
£5m to tackle water pollution in rivers and seas.
Funding to restore a fifth train service on the Heart of Wales railway line.
The agreement also includes a commitment to banning greyhound racing in Wales.
Next steps
The Senedd will vote on the final budget and Welsh rates of income tax on 4 March.
If approved, Flintshire and the other local authorities will receive their funding floor guarantee, along with additional budget allocations for specific projects and services.
The Welsh Government has stated that this agreement will help protect vital council-run services, particularly in rural areas, and ensure that funding is more evenly distributed among Welsh councils.
Flintshire Council is expected to confirm how it will allocate its additional funding once the final budget has been approved.
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