FLINTSHIRE County Council are asking residents to have their say on potential service cuts as they look to close a budget gap of almost £40m. 

The predicted financial gap the local authority needs to plug in 2025/26 was previously estimated at just under £37.8m in July.

That figure has since risen to £38.4m due to a potential increase in the levy used to pay for fire and rescue services in North Wales.

Politicians have been warned it could grow further once staff pay awards and budget pressures in social care and other departments are added.

As the council looks to balance its books ahead of next year, it has launched a consultation in order to gain views from the public on where potential savings could be made. 

Flintshire Council say that budgets have become harder to balance year on year and have warned that 2025/26 may be the year where the gap can't be closed.

New council leader, Cllr Dave Hughes warned that the local authority could face being declared bankrupt as a result of their financial issues. 

Dave Hughes (inset) is the new leader of the council. Dave Hughes (inset) is the new leader of the council. (Image: Flintshire Council) A spokesperson said: "For well over a decade all councils in the UK have faced considerable financial challenges because of year on year underfunding from national governments.

"Over this time Flintshire has cut it's spending by more than £125m. 

"68% of the funding Flintshire receives comes from Welsh Government and per head of population we are ranked 20 out of 22 councils in Wales for the money we receive to deliver services. 

"Every year it gets harder and we share our concerns that the gap between the money we are given and what we need to spend may be too big, but with a lot of hard work and some difficult decisions we just about manage to do it. 

"Over this time we've exhausted all the easy options to cut spending and we've also exhausted the moderate to difficult options. Without any additional funding from Welsh Government we are at a serious, critical stage where we are left with only hard choices that will significantly impact our residents and workforce. 

"Although we are working hard to identify solutions, it's no exaggeration when we say that 2025/26 may be year when we can't close the gap. 

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"Considerations are now at a critical stage and Councillors would like to hear your views and opinions. 

"Anyone who has an interest in Flintshire can answer the questions, for example people who live here, go to school or college here, own a business or work here or who visit, shop or come on holiday here.

"Residents who are unable to complete the survey online can visit any of the Council’s Connects Centres where support will be available.

"Your views are important to us and will help us in our considerations about how best to balance the budget for 2025/26.

"Once we have considered all your feedback and made our decisions we will publish the outcomes on the website."

More information can be found on the council's website.