Wrexham Council and Flintshire Council have a clearer idea of much funding they will receive from Welsh Government as they prepare to set their budgets next year.

The core funding for local government is rising 7.9 per cent on last year, with both councils set to receive an 8.4 per cent increase, placing Wrexham and Flintshire in the top half of the table of 22 authorities across Wales.

Social care, education and other key services provided by local authorities will be backed with £5.5 billion in Welsh Government Revenue Support Grant and non-domestic rates.

The government says the settlement reflects its commitment to support key front-line services and protect the vulnerable and includes funding for the real Living Wage for care workers, the teachers’ pay deal, and the Council Tax Reduction Scheme. It also includes the support for businesses announced on Monday.

Before the announcement today, Flintshire Council was anticipating having to find £32m in savings before setting its 2023-24 budget and has traditionally received one of the lower settlements in Wales.

But despite the authority looking set to receive more support than anticipated, like Wrexham, close to an additonal £20m, it is remaining tight-lipped on what it will mean for the county’s services until it has had time to work through the detail.

A spokesman for Flintshire Council said: “We have received this year’s settlement from Welsh Government and we are currently reviewing it.

“It will take some time to work through the detail.”

Confirming the settlement in a letter to all councils, the Welsh Government’s finance and local government minister Rebecca Evans MS said: “As in recent years, this Government’s priorities continue to be health and local government services. My announcement outlines my intention to set local government core revenue funding for 2023-24 at £5.5 billion.

“This means, after adjusting for transfers, overall core funding for local government in 2023-24 will increase by 7.9 per cent on a like-for-like basis compared to the current year. No authority will receive less than a 6.5 per cent increase.”

“I know local government has been facing significant pressures and has sought to recognise the impact of inflation on the living standards of those who work in local government as well as the broader community.

“I hope that this increased Settlement enables you to continue to deliver the services your communities need as well as supporting national and local ambitions for the future.

“Alongside the Settlement we are continuing to provide funding to support local government to waive fees for child burials. This shared commitment ensures a fair and consistent approach across Wales.”

There will now be a seven week period of formal consultation on the Settlement for 2023-24.

Council’s have until Thursday, February 2 to give their views.

Both authorities will set their budgets early next year.