Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS, Member of the Senedd for Aberconwy, has strongly condemned warnings that council tax in Conwy could rise by as much as 16.7%.
Concerns were raised at a Conwy County Borough Council finance scrutiny committee, where councillors were told the authority faces a £20.6 million budget gap for 2026/27. Even after factoring in a provisional uplift from the Welsh Government, the council is still facing a projected shortfall of around £14 million after three years of service cuts and council tax rises of nearly 10%.
Warnings have been issued that this could equate to a starting position for a council tax increase of more than £300 per household, placing further pressure on families and older residents already struggling with rising living costs.
Janet commented:
“Any council tax rise of this scale would place a huge burden on families and the elderly in Conwy. With households potentially facing an extra £300 or more, many people could struggle to make ends meet, and some could even be pushed into poverty.
I strongly condemn the approach being considered by the new council leadership. Residents deserve better than being forced to pay for what is effectively a financial shortfall created by poor planning and mismanagement.
The public must have a say in this. Conwy residents should not be made to shoulder this burden; their voices must be heard regarding unfair council tax hikes.”
