We want to keep you informed about how the Council spends money.
Every year, we must set a balanced budget – it’s the law. This is becoming more difficult because many things affect how much money we have. This page explains where our money comes from and how we spend it, so it’s easier to understand.
What your Council Tax pays for
We are responsible for collecting Council Tax from residents to help pay for the work of local councils and emergency services.
Council Tax is a property-based tax which is payable on domestic properties. There is one Council Tax bill per property, and the people who own or live there are normally responsible for paying it.
The Council Tax you pay is divided between the County Council, the Police and Crime Commissioner, and Town or Community Council.
The following leaflets explain how your Council Tax is spent
MythBusters
How we are funded
Did you know? Around 70% of our budget comes from the Welsh Government, while only 30% comes from Council Tax. We often hear the myth that Council Tax pays for everything we do, but that’s not the case. Most of our funding comes from Welsh Government to help us deliver vital services across Conwy.
Councillors
Did you know? The number of councillors is NOT set by us, it's set externally. In 2022, the number of councillors serving Conwy reduced from 59 to 55 as part of a national review.
Part of the Community
Did you know? Around 60% of our workforce are out in your community every day. From waste collection and road maintenance to social care and community support, our teams are on the ground where it matters most.
Different budgets for different things
Did you know? We often receive grants for specific projects, and when that happens, the money must be spent exactly as agreed. This means that we can't transfer that money to pay for other services or projects.
Staff Wages
Did you know? Inflation pay awards for council staff are agreed nationally, not locally. This means pay levels are negotiated at a UK or Wales-wide level by employers’ associations and trade unions - not by Conwy Council.
National Funding Gap
We all know prices are rising, and more people need our services - but government funding isn’t keeping pace with these pressures. This creates a national funding gap. To keep essential services running, we must plug the gap through Council Tax, increasing charges or reducing services.
Where our budget is spent
Most of our budget is spent on education and social care — helping to support schools, children, families, and vulnerable adults in our communities. These services make up the largest share of our spending, ensuring our communities have the care and opportunities they need.