Councillors agree unanimously to a 6.7% rise in council tax with £1.1m for schools

Flintshire County Councillors have agreed to a 6.7% hike in council tax this afternoon.

At full council meeting today councillors were presented with a  Cabinet report for consideration

to how it will fill a projected a £6m hole in the council finances

The increase for 2018/19 is made up of a 5% rise to bridge a near £6m shortfall in the council finances and 1.7% / £1.1m increase to help schools.

Officials say the scope for further cuts to services has been “exhausted” and the only remaining options was to raise Council Tax and use council cash reserves.

Teachers and parents of pupils feared there would be no extra money for schools meaning a ‘cash flat’ allocation would, in real terms mean around 3-5% less cash for schools taking into account inflation.

Headteachers in Flintshire had sent letters out to parents warning that an initial proposal of a ‘cash flat’ budget would spark a funding crisis in the counties schools.

They warned that a predicted shortfall in ‘almost all’ schools in the county will create a deficit budget and result in schools not being able to maintain current standards and impact on children’s education.

The rise in council tax will be the second highest in Wales behind Pembrokeshire at 12.5%.

More to follow…