Have your say: Flintshire council launches public consultation in face of £38m budget black hole

Flintshire County Council has launched a public consultation to gather input on how to address a significant financial shortfall of £38.4 million for the 2025/26 fiscal year.

Facing unprecedented economic challenges, the council is seeking the views of residents, businesses, and visitors as it prepares to make difficult decisions about service cuts and other cost-saving measures.

For over a decade, UK councils have grappled with reduced funding, and Flintshire has already slashed more than £125 million from its budget.

With 68% of its funding coming from the Welsh Government’s Revenue Support Grant, Flintshire ranks 20th out of 22 Welsh councils in terms of funding per capita.

If it received the Welsh average, the council would be £24.7m better off.

However, the ongoing financial strain has reached a critical stage, with council leaders warning of tough choices ahead.

“We’ve exhausted all the easy and moderate options for reducing costs,” said a council spokesperson.

“Without additional funding from the Welsh Government, we are left with only hard choices that will have a significant impact on our residents and workforce.”

Rising Costs and Increasing Demand

The financial gap for 2025/26 is driven by a combination of rising operating costs, surging demand for services like social care and homelessness support, and national pay increases for council staff, over which Flintshire has no control.

Additionally, external partners such as North Wales Fire and Rescue and the North East Wales Coroners Service are adding to the financial pressure.

Despite these challenges, council bosses say they are determined to avoid the drastic step of issuing a Section 114 notice, which would declare the council unable to meet its financial obligations—essentially bankrupt.

Although some councils in England have already resorted to this measure, no Welsh council has yet issued a S114 notice, and Flintshire Council says it is battling not to be one of the first.

Public Input Needed

The council is calling on everyone with a stake in Flintshire, including those who live, work, study, or visit the area, to contribute to the budget consultation.

Feedback will play a crucial role in shaping decisions on how to balance the 2025/26 budget and may help the council avoid making substantial cuts to essential services.

Councillors emphasised the importance of public participation, especially as the council may not be able to close the financial gap without making difficult choices that could affect education, social care, and waste management services.

The consultation can be completed online, and support is available at the council’s Connects Centres for those unable to access the survey digitally.

Leadership in Challenging Times

This budget crisis comes at a pivotal time for Flintshire County Council.

Last month, Labour councillor Dave Hughes was elected as the new council leader following the resignation of Cllr Ian Roberts from the role.

In his maiden speech to the council chamber, Cllr Hughes highlighted the severity of the financial situation, warning that they may be forced to issue a Section 114 notice if a solution cannot be found.

“We have a massive task ahead of us,” Cllr Hughes said. “With a 114 notice staring at us down the barrel of a gun, we need harmony and unity across all parties to find a solution.”

Flintshire has been working to reduce spending for years, cutting back by 30% to 45% across service areas, merging office buildings, and partnering with local communities to run services like leisure centres.

However, officials have warned that bridging the £38.4 million budget gap may require more than a 10% reduction across all council departments, which would significantly impact key services.

Impact on Key Services

The council has already seen its budget stretched by increasing costs in areas like homelessness support, social care, and waste disposal. For instance, the council has been facing recycling performance issues, which could result in fines totalling £1.2 million if targets are not met.

Addressing these rising costs while trying to protect essential services will be a major challenge for Flintshire’s leadership.

Despite these difficulties, Cllr Hughes expressed hope that through careful planning and public input, the council can find a way forward. “We are here to represent the public of Flintshire, and we need their help in finding a way through this,” he said.

Next Steps

The council is working on budget proposals that will be presented later this year.

Once the public consultation is complete and all feedback is considered, the council will publish its final decisions on how it plans to balance the 2025/26 budget.

Those wishing to participate in the consultation can do so via the council’s website, with additional information and support available for those who need assistance.

Cllr Hughes added: “We’re at a critical stage, and it’s no exaggeration to say that 2025/26 may be the year we can’t close the gap without drastic action. Your views are more important than ever.”

You can take part in the consultation by clicking here