Author Topic: CCBC costs and cutting  (Read 150377 times)

0 Members and 2 Guests are viewing this topic.

Offline SteveH

  • Management Board Member & Newsgroup Editor
  • *
  • Posts: 12989
Re: CCBC costs and cutting
« Reply #405 on: February 25, 2021, 02:11:41 pm »
THE cost of culling 40,000 diseased trees is estimated to be £23m in just one North Wales local authority area.

The huge bill was revealed in a report presented to Conwy county council’s  economy and place scrutiny committee this week.

cont  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19114855.tackling-ash-dieback-conwy-estimated-cost-23-million/

Offline SteveH

  • Management Board Member & Newsgroup Editor
  • *
  • Posts: 12989
Re: CCBC costs and cutting
« Reply #406 on: March 04, 2021, 10:21:31 am »
Councils 'weakening their case' by not charging full holiday home premium, warns new report
Existing legislation allows councils to charge a council tax premium of up to 100% on second and long term empty homes

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/councils-weakening-case-not-charging-19959875


Offline SteveH

  • Management Board Member & Newsgroup Editor
  • *
  • Posts: 12989
Re: CCBC costs and cutting
« Reply #407 on: March 05, 2021, 10:13:26 am »
A former local authority leader blasted a “heavy mob” of councillors who rounded on him for trying to sabotage a 2.95 per cent council tax rise at the 11th hour.

Gareth Jones, now leader of the Allied Independent group on Conwy county council, made the comments at a fractious full meeting of members during a vote on this year’s tax bill – which he called “regressive”.

The former council leader had also been accused of wanting to deprive schools of money by voting down the rise.

He said: “To say I want to deprive schools of £1m – who is being deprived of the money you’re spending on Mochdre commerce park and that debacle?

“I’m sure that amounted to hundreds of thousands (of pounds).

“What about Porth Eirias? Why can’t we change how we organise and run Venue Cymru – that’s another £1m?

“It could become a community interest company.”

He added: “There are many, many things I could come back with – the list is endless.

cont  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19136884.conwy-council-tax-rise-passed-amid-row-heavy-mob-councillors/

Offline SteveH

  • Management Board Member & Newsgroup Editor
  • *
  • Posts: 12989
Re: CCBC costs and cutting
« Reply #408 on: March 05, 2021, 03:03:35 pm »
Makes a change, could be an addition to the above list of (expected) error's

Members reluctant to go down compulsory purchase order route when it comes to Abergele's Kinmel Hall

FEARS were raised that if a county council were to take on a historic landmark, money would have to be constantly ‘thrown’ at it.

During the Ordinary Meeting of Abergele Town Council on Thursday, March 4, members discussed the growing desire to protect Kinmel Hall after campaigners said it had been “left to rot”.

Town council members agreed that a charge against the building or enforcement action, such as a compulsory purchase order that could see it transferred into the ownership of Conwy County Borough Council, was not the route anyone wanted to venture down at this stage.

https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19139393.members-reluctant-go-compulsory-purchase-order-route-comes-abergeles-kinmel-hall/

Offline SteveH

  • Management Board Member & Newsgroup Editor
  • *
  • Posts: 12989
Re: CCBC costs and cutting
« Reply #409 on: March 11, 2021, 09:54:05 am »
Ratepayers across North Wales face higher council tax bills from next month.

Despite being allocated more resources from central government, the region's six authorities have settled on tax hikes of between 2.75% and 6.95% following various budget setting meetings over recent weeks.

Wrexham - 6.95%
Flintshire - 3.95%
Denbighshire - 3.8%
Gwynedd - 3.7%
Conwy - 2.95%
Isle of Anglesey - 2.75%

cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/heres-how-much-north-wales-20036988

Offline SteveH

  • Management Board Member & Newsgroup Editor
  • *
  • Posts: 12989
Re: CCBC
« Reply #410 on: May 12, 2021, 10:04:34 am »
Conwy county council’s political boss has confirmed he will resign as leader at the authority’s AGM on Thursday, after winning an unexpected regional seat in the Senedd.

He said: “It’s an amazing privilege for me personally to be elected as a member of the Senedd representing North Wales, so I’m really looking forward to my five years there representing the region.

https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19296148.conwy-council-leader-step-following-senedd-cymru-election-success/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

Offline SteveH

  • Management Board Member & Newsgroup Editor
  • *
  • Posts: 12989
Re: CCBC
« Reply #411 on: May 14, 2021, 10:11:17 am »
Update on above

An Abergele-based county councillor has completed a meteoric rise to a top council political job after his predecessor won a surprise seat in the Senedd.

Independent councillor Charlie McCoubrey (Pentre Mawr ward) has been installed as Cllr Sam Rowlands’ successor on Conwy county council, after being elected via a secret ballot with 49 votes – with six abstensions and one absent member.

During an urgent item at the authority’s AGM Cllr Greg Robbins (Mostyn ward) nominated him for the position and Cllr Goronwy Edwards seconded the call.

Cllr McCoubrey replaced Cllr Edwards as leader of Conwy First Independent political group a fortnight ago.

cont  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19301280.conwy-county-council-elects-new-leader/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

Offline SteveH

  • Management Board Member & Newsgroup Editor
  • *
  • Posts: 12989
Re: CCBC costs and cutting
« Reply #412 on: May 24, 2021, 10:33:17 am »
Conwy council libraries strategy goes up for consultation

HOW libraries can be used to benefit communities across Conwy over the next five years has gone up for discussion.

Conwy County Borough Council has launched a consultation over its Library and Information 2021-2026, which sets out its approach to improving library services. Library users, partner organisations and interested parties are encouraged to get involved and share their views by taking part in the consultation.

The draft strategy includes plans for a community hub in the west end of Abergele, relocating Colwyn Bay Library and providing outreach services in rural communities.

cont  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19323959.conwy-council-libraries-strategy-goes-consultation/

Offline SteveH

  • Management Board Member & Newsgroup Editor
  • *
  • Posts: 12989
Re: CCBC Conwy Bereavement Services
« Reply #413 on: June 16, 2021, 11:26:28 am »
OWNERS of grave(s) in cemeteries across Conwy are being asked to make sure their contact details are up-to-date.

Conwy Bereavement Services will begin testing headstones in their cemeteries this month.

A spokesperson for Conwy County Borough Council said: "We will be testing 15,000 headstones to make sure they are safe for people visiting the cemeteries.

"If we find headstones which are unsafe we will lie them flat on the grave, where possible, and write to the grave owner to explain.

"If you receive a letter from us, please do not try to make the repairs yourself – you’ll need to contact a registered, approved memorial mason to repair or reinstate the headstone.

"Please make sure we have your contact details if you are a grave owner so we can contact you."

People can email BereavementServices@conwy.gov.uk for more information and send their updated contacted details.

Offline SteveH

  • Management Board Member & Newsgroup Editor
  • *
  • Posts: 12989
Re: CCBC costs and cutting....next UK City of Culture ?
« Reply #414 on: June 17, 2021, 09:56:36 am »
CONWY county is set to make a bid to become the next UK City of Culture.

Conwy County Borough Council is expected submit an expression of interest for the 2025 round of the award, run by the UK Government Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) every four years.

For the first time, groups of towns are able to join and apply for the title to be awarded to their local area, widening the scope of areas that could benefit.

It is hoped that the local authority’s bid will included the hinterland around Conwy town, running along the North Wales coast to the hills of Snowdonia.

Winning localities experience a major boost in tourism from the UK and abroad, while the competition can also attract investment and businesses.

cont  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/conwy/19378980.conwy-council-set-make-expression-interest-uk-city-culture-2025/

Offline SteveH

  • Management Board Member & Newsgroup Editor
  • *
  • Posts: 12989
Re: CCBC .............public consultation on libraries
« Reply #415 on: June 25, 2021, 02:05:36 pm »
LIBRARY users are being urged share their views on plans to change services in Conwy.

Conwy County Borough Council's draft Library and Information Strategy 2021-2026 sets out its aims to meet the needs of communities over the next five years.

Changes include relocation of Colwyn Bay Library to Coed Pella, increasing the use of technology, new services for remote communities and varied library hours.

A public consultation is currently underway and runs until July 18.

To complete the questionnaire visit www.conwy.gov.uk/librarystrategy or request a paper copy at your nearest library or call 01492 576139.

Offline SteveH

  • Management Board Member & Newsgroup Editor
  • *
  • Posts: 12989
Re: CCBC costs and cutting
« Reply #416 on: July 15, 2021, 09:42:02 am »
RESIDENTS are being urged to have their say on Council Tax premiums for second homes and long-term empty homes in Conwy County.

Conwy County Borough Council is carrying out a survey about the Council Tax premiums to be levied on second homes and long-term empty homes for 2022/23.

The premium aims to encourage owners to bring empty properties into use and support the increase of affordable housing.
In December, councillors resolved to increase the premium to 50 per cent from April 1 2022, subject to a review.

The council wants to hear from second and long-term empty property owners, as well as those who do not own such properties, on what the premium should be. The survey also gives the opportunity for people to give their opinion on what effect the premium has on tourism, the Welsh language and affordable housing.

Brian Cossey, cabinet member for finance, revenue and benefits, said: “Owners of second homes and long term empty properties have been written to and asked to take part. The consultation is open to everyone to complete, and we’re keen to get the views of as many people as possible.”

Take part in the consultation at conwy.gov.uk before August 20.                  ref Pioneer

Offline SteveH

  • Management Board Member & Newsgroup Editor
  • *
  • Posts: 12989
Re: CCBC costs and cutting
« Reply #417 on: July 21, 2021, 02:05:59 pm »
I never hear of the council building houses anymore, is it just me ?

AN MS has called on the Welsh Government to encourage private developers to build more houses in North Wales amid a shortfall in annual targets.

Speaking in the Senedd, Mr Rowlands, Shadow Minister for Local Government, asked what action the Housing Minister Julie James was taking to encourage more developments.

“Your assessment of need for housing in North Wales states that there should be around 1,600 homes built every year in the region for the next 20 years," he said.

“Currently, that development number is around 1,200 homes a year. So, there is quite a significant gap between what is needed and what's being built.

“Private developers are often very successful in meeting the demands of local people and providing affordable housing and many of those private developers are small businesses making a big difference in their local economy.

“We have, though, in recent years seen a steady decrease in the number of dwellings being developed by those private developers.

The Minister said they had a number of issues in the small and medium enterprise house building market around cash flow, pipeline and they were keen to work with them to ensure that providers stayed viable and solid.         ref Pioneer

Offline norman08

  • Ad Free Member
  • *
  • Posts: 961
Re: CCBC costs and cutting
« Reply #418 on: July 21, 2021, 05:32:03 pm »
Well catrefi took on all the Conwy housing stock.

Offline Bri Roberts

  • Management board member
  • *
  • Posts: 3099
Re: CCBC costs and cutting
« Reply #419 on: July 21, 2021, 05:33:42 pm »
I never hear of the council building houses anymore, is it just me ?

CCBC ceased building council houses years ago and gifted all their housing stock of 3,800 properties to Cartrefi Conwy.