February 18, 2026 - 180 views
Conwy residents are facing another rise in council tax after councillors backed plans to increase bills by 6.09% for core council services, alongside a further 0.41% to fund the North Wales Fire & Rescue Authority.
The proposed increase will be at the centre of budget discussions when Conwy County Borough Council meets on 5 March to set its 2026/27 spending plans. Councillors say the rise is necessary to close a significant funding gap and protect essential services.
The council is grappling with a revised shortfall of £5.632 million despite receiving nearly £11 million in additional funding from the Welsh Government.
Conwy’s overall settlement and contribution from Welsh Government for 2026/27 rose by 4.1% — one of the lowest increases in Wales and below the national average of 4.5%. That settlement accounts for just over 71% of the authority’s total funding.
Cabinet members have already agreed that £2.236 million in savings will need to come from council services, although schools are set to be ringfenced and funded on a standstill basis with no reduction to their core budgets. The council is also proposing to use £100,000 from reserves, though finance officers have warned that maintaining healthy balances is vital to guard against unexpected financial shocks.
Council tax has risen consistently in Conwy over recent years. For 2025/26, residents saw an overall increase of 8.95%, made up of an 8.27% rise for council services and 0.68% for the fire authority. The previous year also saw a substantial increase as the authority responded to inflation, pay awards and growing demand in social care. The cumulative effect means households have experienced sustained above-inflation rises in their annual bills.
Like other councils across Wales, Conwy is legally required to set a balanced budget each year. Rising demand for adult and children’s social care continues to absorb a large share of spending, while inflationary pressures on energy, contracts and supplies remain higher than in previous years. Nationally agreed pay increases for staff have also added to the financial strain. Although the Welsh Government settlement provides additional funding each year, councils argue it does not fully match the pace of rising costs and demand.
Neighbouring Denbighshire is also preparing to raise council tax, with an expected overall increase of just over five per cent for the coming financial year.
For many households in Conwy, the decision in March will mean another increase in annual bills at a time when wider living costs remain high. Councillors say the proposed rise is aimed at safeguarding frontline services, but acknowledge the continuing pressure on residents as they finalise next year’s budget.
