Conwy councillors have voted to increase council tax and slash funding to major services.

Conwy County Borough Council (CCBC) members last week agreed to approve a 9.6 per cent tax increase which will see the yearly payment for residents rise from £1,168.32 to £1280.48 - an increase of £112.16, equivalent to £2.16 extra per week for the average household.

As well as increasing council tax by 9.6 per cent, members also agreed to cuts across services including 4 per cent for schools and social services and 7 per cent for all other services totalling £8.5million.

The cash strapped authority is facing a shortfall of £15.7 million with members having to set a balanced budget.

Councillor Sam Rowlands, cabinet member for finance, said this had been "one of the most difficult budgets" this authority has ever had to balance.

Cllr Rowlands said: "The budget for 2019/20 has been one of the most difficult budgets this Authority has had to balance.

“There are pressures outside our control, such as increases in care costs, reductions in specific grants, along with increasing demand for services."

"This budget addresses the £15.3million resource shortfall and provides for our services by using a combination of budget cuts and a Council Tax rise."

Concerns have been raised over education funding cuts across the county and cllr Bob Squire, from the Eirias electoral division, said this was major issue when it came to the budget.

Mr Squires said: "What is happening in our schools is unprecedented. Bryn Elian is set to lose 18 staff including teachers and will still have a deficit of £70,000.”

“The current budget approach is not sustainable and we have to critically analyse systems as far as schools are concerned."

Cllr Brian Cossey, from the Colwyn electoral division, added: “We are where we are whether we like it or not, we have a proposal for 9.6 per cent council tax and cuts to services.

"Nobody in this room wants to cut services or vote for a 9.6 per cent rise in council tax.

"It does not matter to me which group of political parties were sat around the cabinet table, they would have to have done exactly what Cllr Sam is now proposing.”

Members of the council voted by 29 votes to 25 in favour of passing the budget with two abstentions.

Following the meeting cllr Rowlands said: “I am pleased that council took the responsible decision and dealt with it. I appreciate it was very difficult in light of budget cuts to our services and council tax payer can expect a significant rise in their council tax as well."