Three Towns Forum

The Local => Local News & Discussion => Topic started by: DaveR on October 30, 2010, 10:42:46 am

Title: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: DaveR on October 30, 2010, 10:42:46 am
The first inklings of cutbacks in Conwy County are starting to surface. Naturally, there's no mention of cutting the legions of overpaid managers in Bodlondeb...

The last sentence is also hilarious.  Go, Team Conwy!!!  ;D

Conwy council details extent of £11m savings - with more to come

THE SCALE of looming cutbacks is today revealed in a snapshot by one council – as it considers hiking up even the price of ice cream to claw back cash

Huge savings being planned for Conwy include upping the cost of cremations and car parking, axing school lollipop patrols and rubbish collections and cutting school budgets by £3m.

The detail being gone into is so great, proposals even include increasing the cost of buying an ice cream at Venue Cymru, where a staff shake up may also be on the cards.

The pay and display zone for parking in Llandudno will be extended as parking charges in the county also rise, under proposals to be put to councillors on Monday.

A crackdown on fraud over single person council tax discounts aims to save £150,000 next year, with rises also proposed in allotment, and mooring charges.

Schools spending could be cut by £3.39m or 6%, while social services is in line for a £2.21m cut or 5%.

But that is just the half of it.

Savings set out so far in a report to be considered by councillors next week only reach £11m –  of the full £21m savings needed.

Finance officers warn that even the three waves of spending curbs already drawn up still fall £10m short of the savings target set in Conwy by 2013-14, with a Wave 4 still needed - which will involve “tough decisions”.

Councils across Wales are examining their budgets in the aftermath of the UK Government’s comprehensive spending review.

The Welsh Assembly Government will set out its spending plans next month, including the revenue support settlement for councils which accounts for almost 80% of local authority income.

Andrew Kirkham, acting corporate director and head of finance for Conwy, says in the report that the accumulated savings anticipated over the next three financial years is £21.89m or 12% of this year’s base budget.

Seeking approval by councillors for the ‘Wave 3’ of spending cuts proposed for the authority, he says they would reduce the budget shortfall to £10.06m.

“Heads of service and services generally have been asked to build on their work and develop even more options through a ‘wave 4’ exercise.

“It is the intention that this should bring in to the democratic consideration initiatives that go beyond ‘traditional thinking’, hence the next exercise is likely to produce areas of savings that will require ‘difficult decisions’ in addition to the more ‘acceptable’ savings.”

Officials were working hard to identify further savings to attempt to minimise the cuts and therefore the difficult decisions that will need to be taken during challenging times for the public sector generally and Conwy specifically, he said.

“Members will be acutely aware that the need to achieve significant savings comes at a time when many services are seeing the demand for services increasing, notably care for the elderly and children’s services.”

“Moreover Local Government will not enter this period of cuts from as well funded a starting point as the NHS, which has had far steeper rises in revenue funding in recent years,” he said.

Conwy council’s cabinet will consider the measure next week.

Mr Kirkham said: “What is becoming clear even now is that in addition to the anticipated cut to the Revenue Support Grant which currently represents 78% of our resource base, Local Government is also going to see reductions in specific grants that support local government services.

“We still have a long way to go to identify the level of savings that will close the anticipated financial gap, but it is fair to say that the ‘Team Conwy’ spirit has already produced a significant response to the financial challenges ahead.”

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2010/10/30/conwy-council-details-extent-of-11m-savings-with-more-to-come-55578-27569831/ (http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2010/10/30/conwy-council-details-extent-of-11m-savings-with-more-to-come-55578-27569831/)
Title: Re: Cutbacks in Conwy County
Post by: DaveR on October 30, 2010, 11:32:18 am
Whilst on the subject of cutbacks, I was reading Cllr Mike Priestley's blog, in which he mentioned sponsorship as a possible means of raising revenue for the Council. Given that the public are very keen to pay for things such as memorial benches for loved ones in public parks, I have taken the idea a stage further and put forward this idea to Cllr Priestley:

"You raise the issue of sponsorship - why is more use not made of this? I'm not just talking about businesses here, private individuals (maybe as a tribute to a loved one) could also particpate.

How about a section on the CCBC website, that list various areas in the County where work is required - could be the cost of planting out a flowerbed, planting of a tree, installing a new Shelter or even a general contribution towards a specific park.

Each item has a cost attached to do the work, and businesses/individuals can then contribute the cost of that work in return for being acknowledged as the benefactor, both on the CCBC website and via a small plaque at the site.

I honestly think its a great idea, so why don't we do it? This could be a fantastic source of income to offset the coming cuts."


Let's see what his reply is...  ;)

His blog: http://mikepriestley.blogspot.com/2010/10/rhs.html (http://mikepriestley.blogspot.com/2010/10/rhs.html)
Title: Re: Cutbacks in Conwy County
Post by: Fester on October 30, 2010, 07:18:25 pm
Extending and increasing parking charges is a real cop out.

It has nothing to do with cutting back costs, instead it is another disgraceful and greedy swipe at tourism.
The ability of The Three Towns to be credible and preferred shopping destinations is also compromised by this.
It is yet another TAX increase, when the tax burden is becoming unbearable...

I think an external and independant body (such as business consultants) should dictate what the cuts should be.
Thats the real world, and 'Team Conwy' would have sleepless nights during this process..and rightly so.
This would lead to a real clearout of 'dead-wood' middle and senior managers ....plus a sell off of many of the illogical property assets that the Council own.

So much can be done internally at CCBC, without resorting to extorting MORE money from US .... they are being dishonest.


 
Title: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: Fester on December 13, 2010, 10:00:18 pm
Well,  Its started!

The Coalition Government have announced that the core funding for councils will FALL by an average of 9.9% next year.... and by further amounts in the next three years  Until a total of 28% is reached.

The Labour Party have called it devastating.   I think its fantastic.

Because along with it, they have announced that the public will have THE RIGHT to buy businesses owned by the council.  That includes Shops, Pubs and Libraries.
Given that CCBC owns a great many such businesses, I can't wait to wrestle a few of them away from them.

Why does the council need to own pubs????

Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: DaveR on December 13, 2010, 10:13:06 pm
It's a fair point. For example, CCBC own the Freehold of the Aberconwy Caravan Park on the Morfa in Conwy, which is valued at £1.7m - why not sell it? The Rhos Fynach pub in Rhos On Sea - why not sell it?

http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/18413/response/50145/attach/html/2/FOI%20880%2009%20Non%20County%20Occupied%20Assets.xls.html (http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/18413/response/50145/attach/html/2/FOI%20880%2009%20Non%20County%20Occupied%20Assets.xls.html)
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: Bellringer on December 13, 2010, 10:17:54 pm
The CCBC owning pubs is a revelation to me, what other similar establishments does it own apart from Rhos Fynach in Rhos on Sea?
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: Fester on December 13, 2010, 11:43:27 pm
Also of great interest will be the numerous kiosks which the council own, and let out at peppercorn rents.

Assuming that each council will have a Finance Director who will be most keen to realise the best price for these 'businesses' ..then there should be a vast amount of cash on its way to the council in the coming years.

Makes you wonder why they didn't demand a sensible commercial rate for these leases in the past.  If they had, the council coffers might have been in a better state right now.
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: Pendragon on December 14, 2010, 12:37:35 am
 *&(  well I never knew that,
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: DaveR on December 14, 2010, 09:01:28 am
CCBC own a lot of property and it's not been terribly well managed in the past, in terms of maximising revenue. Things are improving but there's still a way to go. Really, I believe that the council should only own those assets that are essential to providing public services and everything else should be sold off.

Off the top of my head, other things they own that could be sold off are the former Rhos Harbour Bistro and the Cafe in Happy Valley, Llandudno. Maybe also the Beach Cafe at West Shore, Llandudno.
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: Ian on December 14, 2010, 10:07:58 am
The real issue - I suspect - is whether the private sector would do a better job. I always remember that the mess next to the Grand is a result of private ownership.
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: DaveR on December 14, 2010, 10:54:06 am
The private sector does a better job 9 times out of 10. In the 1 out of 10 instance where it doesn't, then the public sector has the power to step in to deal with the problem. In the case of the Pier Pavilion, of course, neither the private or public sector emerges with any glory!

A third way, of course, is for local people to step in and take over these facilities. A group of motivated, community minded, individuals can achieve far more than the dead hand of council bureaucracy. Take the Happy Valley Cafe, Llandudno, as an example. It could be owned by a community group (maybe even the elusive 'Friends of Happy Valley'  ;D ), still run by the Parisellas, but all revenues ploughed back into improving Happy Valley park.
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: Ian on December 14, 2010, 11:45:33 am
Quote
The private sector does a better job 9 times out of 10

That's a tricky statistic to confirm or deny, but I suppose my concern is that if you look at the overall history of private businesses taking over from government or councils, it isn't one of unalloyed perfection. However, when we're talking local councils, I sometimes think anything must be better...
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: Merddin Emrys on December 14, 2010, 12:22:56 pm
The real issue - I suspect - is whether the private sector would do a better job. I always remember that the mess next to the Grand is a result of private ownership.

almost everything was built in the first place by the  private sector, trouble is modern generations have failed for various reasons to look after it.

this is interesting about the Pavilion

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Llandudno_Pier_Pavilion_Theatre (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Llandudno_Pier_Pavilion_Theatre)
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: DaveR on December 14, 2010, 06:54:03 pm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-11982660 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-11982660)

Up to seven of the 12 public libraries in Conwy could close as the council debates their future.

The council admits the service is one of the worst performing in Wales with a poor range of books, not enough staff and badly maintained buildings.

The options before councillors on Tuesday stress that changes are needed for the service to improve.

One councillor who is against the closures said libraries are the hub of the community and should be kept.

It is not the first time library closures have been suggested in Conwy and a similar decision was delayed in 2007.

A report to the council's cabinet on Tuesday admits the library service is among "the lowest performing in Wales" and that it is not sustainable without "significant investment".

Its problems are due mainly to "a consistent lack of investment" in books, staffing levels and buildings "over a long period of time".

On Tuesday there are three options before councillors, although the first one, to do nothing is "not an option" according to the report.
Continue reading the main story
“Start Quote

    Penrhyn Bay library is a special case because of where it's situated.. it is the heart of the community”

End Quote Myra Wigzell Llandudno Town Councillor

One option would see seven libraries close at Cerrigydrudion, Deganwy, Kinmel Bay, Llandudno Junction, Llanfairfechan, Penmaenmawr and Penrhyn Bay.

Another would see five libraries close at Deganwy, Llandudno Junction, Kinmel Bay, Llanfairfechan and Penrhyn Bay.

There will be a public consultation process before the final decision is taken by councillors.

The money saved would be spent on improving other libraries, including a new one in the Conwy or Llandudno Junction area.

Llandudno town councillor for the Penrhyn ward, Myra Wigzell, is against the closures.

"Penrhyn Bay library is a special case because of where it's situated, it's next to the post office and together they form the hub of the community," she said.

She said it seemed Conwy council had "just looked at a map and seen our library is close to the ones in Llandudno and Colwyn Bay".

"Penrhyn Bay has a great many elderly residents who use the library.

"It's also used by people from Llanrhos and Craigside who find it easier to get to and to park," she added.
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: DaveR on December 14, 2010, 06:59:10 pm
Going off topic slightly, I see that CCBC wishes to spend £22million to rebuild Ysgol Y Gogarth in Llandudno. It's an excellent facility, certainly, but why does it need to be completely rebuilt and why does it have to cost so much? Can it really be justified if finances are so tight?
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: DaveR on December 14, 2010, 07:01:10 pm
The real issue - I suspect - is whether the private sector would do a better job. I always remember that the mess next to the Grand is a result of private ownership.

almost everything was built in the first place by the  private sector, trouble is modern generations have failed for various reasons to look after it.

this is interesting about the Pavilion

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Llandudno_Pier_Pavilion_Theatre (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Llandudno_Pier_Pavilion_Theatre)

Good article, that one.  ;)  8)
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: Fester on December 14, 2010, 11:56:19 pm
If what I saw when out in Conwy with Dave R is anything to go by, then all the libraries might as well close.

You see there was no one reading books,  but there was a line of computers which people can use for free to research on line.

I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw ALL of them were occupied by teenagers on FACEBOOK!!   And I'm paying for that!!!!

Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: Ian on December 15, 2010, 08:15:42 am
 That's actually one of the biggest problems with CCBC's library network; the paucity of reading materials is the other  :o
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: DaveR on December 15, 2010, 08:16:56 am
I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw ALL of them were occupied by teenagers on FACEBOOK!!   And I'm paying for that!!!!
It is ridiculous, and Llandudno Library is the same. Why cannot access to social networking sites be blocked?

Apparently, CCBC's Library provision is so poor that there is a possibility (according to that report) that WAG may take direct control of it and run it themselves.
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: Ian on December 15, 2010, 08:31:25 am
Quote
Why cannot access to social networking sites be blocked?

I'm only guessing, here, but I could suggest it's because when they hire library staff, they don't check their level of computer literacy...
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: DaveR on December 15, 2010, 08:59:55 am
I think the access is controlled centrally, from somewhere deep in Bodlondeb. There is plenty of software out there to deal with such things.
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: Ian on December 15, 2010, 09:13:35 am
I agree.   I assumed each library had its own router and firewall set-up. but perhaps not.  Must investigate.
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: Michael on December 15, 2010, 11:44:42 am
I use various librarys a lot, both for books and computers and newspapers and etc etc. If all the p.cs were being used by youngsters looking at facebook (were you looking over their shoulders) it would have been around 3.30 in the afternoon. In term time. It doesent really happen any other time and not much at all in school hols. But yes, they do leave school together and use the pcs together, which, I suppose, is better than the solitary use of a pc at home. They are connecting both physically and internet wise at the same time with each other. I cannot really knock that, even if they can become a pest at times. Mike
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: Yorkie on December 15, 2010, 11:50:52 am
I believe that there is also a time limit for each user which will prevent one person hogging a machine for long periods and gives everyone an opportunity to use their IT skills.    To my mind what they do on the PC is up to them and in this respect I think all "naughty" sites are blocked centrally!     ;D
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: Fester on December 15, 2010, 04:08:06 pm
Mike.. it was about 2pm ... and these teenagers were not interacting with anyone physically.
They were chatting about inane stuff, like what did the X Factor judges wear this weekend.

I'm not against that, I just object to paying for it thats all... let them do it at home.

The extent of the CCBC cuts will be very radical (or could be if its managed properly) ... and when harsh choices have to be made, perhaps these libraries really aren't delivering the value the taxpayer should expect.   
Will we let kids play on Facebook ... or shall we have streetlights.
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: Dave on December 15, 2010, 05:26:04 pm
Llandudno town councillor for the Penrhyn ward, Myra Wigzell, is against the closures.

"Penrhyn Bay library is a special case because of where it's situated, it's next to the post office and together they form the hub of the community," she said.

She said it seemed Conwy council had "just looked at a map and seen our library is close to the ones in Llandudno and Colwyn Bay".

"Penrhyn Bay has a great many elderly residents who use the library.

"It's also used by people from Llanrhos and Craigside who find it easier to get to and to park," she added.


Couldn't these elderly residents not use their bus passes to travel to Colwyn Bay or Llandudno ?  ;D
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: Dave on December 15, 2010, 05:32:10 pm
It's a fair point. For example, CCBC own the Freehold of the Aberconwy Caravan Park on the Morfa in Conwy, which is valued at £1.7m - why not sell it? The Rhos Fynach pub in Rhos On Sea - why not sell it?

http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/18413/response/50145/attach/html/2/FOI%20880%2009%20Non%20County%20Occupied%20Assets.xls.html (http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/18413/response/50145/attach/html/2/FOI%20880%2009%20Non%20County%20Occupied%20Assets.xls.html)

Whoever has the lease on the Aberconwy Caravan Park agreed to give the council a rather large percentage of the turnover if I remember rightly so in a way it is in private hands already but still earning for the council.
Caravan Parks have shot up in value in the last few years ( just like gold Mr Brown!) so it might not be a good idea to sell, on the other hand if you control the planning applications I guess you can just open another one instead  ??? ??? ???
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: MrFalafel on December 16, 2010, 03:19:23 pm
The private sector does a better job 9 times out of 10. In the 1 out of 10 instance where it doesn't, then the public sector has the power to step in to deal with the problem. In the case of the Pier Pavilion, of course, neither the private or public sector emerges with any glory!

A third way, of course, is for local people to step in and take over these facilities. A group of motivated, community minded, individuals can achieve far more than the dead hand of council bureaucracy. Take the Happy Valley Cafe, Llandudno, as an example. It could be owned by a community group (maybe even the elusive 'Friends of Happy Valley'  ;D ), still run by the Parisellas, but all revenues ploughed back into improving Happy Valley park.

I know a bit about Happy Valley Cafe. The problem there is it doesn't make enough money to be kept afloat as a viable business. Hasn't for years.  The Parisellas tried and ran it at a loss most months of the year and didn''t recoup during the summer months. If a business savvy person took a look at the books and the potential for the business they wouldn't touch the Cafe with a 10 foot pole. So the council has a choice: keep it open as a 'tourist support cost' or let it close down and become and eyesore. I can see they've chosen the former and its hard to fault them for that. I like your idea about being run as a community group but which community group can afford to lose as much money as Parisellas did?

It's a tough call for that one. But I agree the freeholds in caravan parks should be sold off!
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: Ian on December 16, 2010, 03:43:11 pm
Quote
The problem there is it doesn't make enough money to be kept afloat as a viable business.

Perhaps it needs an added attraction - such as a stage show?   ))*
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: DaveR on December 16, 2010, 06:01:03 pm
Interesting stuff, McFalafel, I'd be amazed if the cafe didnt make a nice profit, it is always busy in the Summer months - I'm there at least once a week and there's always a steady stream of customers. So are you saying that the Parisellas effectively don't pay any rent for it?!

You could boost profitability there with a few fairly simple changes:

1) More exciting menu - they don't sell nearly as much food as they should.
2) Reduce the kitchen area size (which accounts for over 50% of the interior floor space) and increase the number of inside tables.
3) Replace current open entrance with door and large picture windows, so that it will be warmer on colder days.
4) Better coffee!

 ££$
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: Fester on December 16, 2010, 07:20:29 pm
In addition,

5, Let people know its there...its a little hidden, maybe some signs from North Parade, right round past The Grand.
6, Make parking easier, its a nightmare round there on busy days.

...and 7, Create a famous 'signature' product.  One wich people will tell all their friends about, and look forward to coming back to Llandudno for time and time again!   

Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: Michael on December 16, 2010, 09:07:54 pm
Dave, There is only one thing I think you overlook. You state it is always busy when you go there in the summer months. Agreed. Proviso---on nice sunny days when you probably visit. When its sheeting it down with rain it wont take a penny. Same applies in every tourist business anywhere in the country. Unfortunately the overheads, wages, rent, rates the lot, they come rain or shine. Dont think I am critising your judgement. Virtually everybody makes the same mistake. How many times have I heard it said "Its always heaving when I see it." But I know they only see it at the good times  Mike
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: DaveR on December 17, 2010, 09:31:23 am
Dave, There is only one thing I think you overlook. You state it is always busy when you go there in the summer months. Agreed. Proviso---on nice sunny days when you probably visit. When its sheeting it down with rain it wont take a penny. Same applies in every tourist business anywhere in the country. Unfortunately the overheads, wages, rent, rates the lot, they come rain or shine. Dont think I am critising your judgement. Virtually everybody makes the same mistake. How many times have I heard it said "Its always heaving when I see it." But I know they only see it at the good times  Mike
I take your point, Mike, I'm struggling to think of days this Summer when I would have wanted to walk though Happy Valley but didn't because it was raining. I have been there on many overcast days and it's certainly quieter but still doing a fair bit of trade. The cafe is on one of the main routes up the Orme (and of course to the ski slope), so there are always people about.
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: Ian on December 17, 2010, 09:32:14 am
Quote
When its sheeting it down with rain it wont take a penny.

But that's a comparatively rare occurrence at Happy Valley.  The Orme has one of the lowest rainfall figures in the UK.

You can run a cafe in the remotest of locations in Llandudno and make a profit, but you need to make sure it's warm for the cold days and  - as Dave says - make sure there are plenty of tables.  Mostly, however, it's down to the folk who serve you.  They need to make you feel as though you matter.  
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: DaveR on December 17, 2010, 09:33:50 am
Unbelievable - news that Colwyn Bay & Llandudno Police Stations are proposed for closure:

http://www.northwalesweeklynews.co.uk/conwy-county-news/local-conwy-news/2010/12/16/fears-that-colwyn-bay-and-llandudno-police-stations-could-close-55243-27832220/ (http://www.northwalesweeklynews.co.uk/conwy-county-news/local-conwy-news/2010/12/16/fears-that-colwyn-bay-and-llandudno-police-stations-could-close-55243-27832220/)

"FEARS that Colwyn Bay and Llandudno police stations could close in a shake-up of policing in North Wales are growing.

North Wales Police Authority is currently carrying out a consultation into proposals to improve efficiency and make cash savings, and they are proposing a number of “response hubs” and a reduction in the number of existing police districts.

One of the response hubs, which it is claimed would enable officers to be deployed to locations within 30 minutes, would be at Colwyn Bay HQ.
And there is also a suggestion the existing central police district which covers the town and parts of Denbighshire could be merged with West Conwy to create one enlarged district which would include both the Bay and Llandudno."
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: Merddin Emrys on December 17, 2010, 10:01:48 am
If the Police want to save money, just get rid of those awful speed tax camera vans  :rage:
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: MrFalafel on December 17, 2010, 10:25:59 am
Quote
When its sheeting it down with rain it wont take a penny.

But that's a comparatively rare occurrence at Happy Valley.  The Orme has one of the lowest rainfall figures in the UK.

You can run a cafe in the remotest of locations in Llandudno and make a profit, but you need to make sure it's warm for the cold days and  - as Dave says - make sure there are plenty of tables.  Mostly, however, it's down to the folk who serve you.  They need to make you feel as though you matter.  

Lots of people walking past does not automatically add up to high sales. I knew the people who ran Happy Valley Cafe a few years ago and their problem was the customers they had would buy a cup of tea and thats it. Or a plate of chips and nothing else. Or a couple of cold drinks while sitting at a table for an hour. Food sales where they made the most money were rare. Tourists were bringing picnics or eating elsewhere and just stopping by the Cafe for an ice cream. There were almost no regulars from town frequenting the place. In fact, in the winter months the manager would be asked to close up the cafe for 3 months and she'd go 'sign on' during that time then open the cafe back up in the spring. This is how the cafe worked for years and years. And this was during the 'good years' when the economy was doing very well. The main reason it remained open was the Parisella's was doing well elsewhere and used the cafe as a place for his less productive offspring to attempt to run without being 'hands on'. As the ice cream magnates fortunes waned elsewhere in the county he couldn't keep the place just ticking over.
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: Ian on December 17, 2010, 10:51:42 am
Actually, it's on teas and coffees where you make the most, so that doesn't ring true to me. Thing is, it doesn't matter if they sit around for a while;  that's the nature of cafes, and it's always going to happen. But what did strike a warning note was your comment that "the manager would be asked to close up the cafe for 3 months"  Running a tiny cafe like that you can't really afford to have a manager. It has to be owner-driven, and that's what makes the difference. An engaging owner, who's hands-on and makes the folk feel important and valued will soon have repeat business and locals tripping up there, just for the pleasure of chatting. Then you eliminate the problem of "Tourists  bringing picnics or eating elsewhere and just stopping by the Cafe for an ice cream. "

In fact, you've told us why it didn't work when you said "Parisella's was doing well elsewhere and used the cafe as a place for his less productive offspring to attempt to run".  That's it in a nutshell.

I know a few folk who could make that place work - and work well.
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: MrFalafel on December 17, 2010, 11:27:19 am
Actually, it's on teas and coffees where you make the most, so that doesn't ring true to me. Thing is, it doesn't matter if they sit around for a while;  that's the nature of cafes, and it's always going to happen. But what did strike a warning note was your comment that "the manager would be asked to close up the cafe for 3 months"  Running a tiny cafe like that you can't really afford to have a manager. It has to be owner-driven, and that's what makes the difference. An engaging owner, who's hands-on and makes the folk feel important and valued will soon have repeat business and locals tripping up there, just for the pleasure of chatting. Then you eliminate the problem of "Tourists  bringing picnics or eating elsewhere and just stopping by the Cafe for an ice cream. "

In fact, you've told us why it didn't work when you said "Parisella's was doing well elsewhere and used the cafe as a place for his less productive offspring to attempt to run".  That's it in a nutshell.

I know a few folk who could make that place work - and work well.
It's actually repeat trade where you make the margins. 99% of the customers at Happy Valley were tourists who just stumbled upon the place so it was really luck of the draw.  The location isn't really conducive for locals wandering over a couple of times a week like they do in town.

The earlier suggestion about simplifying the menu was tried. The reduced stock helped keep the overheads down a bit but the reality of the daily costs of keeping the place open, staffed adequately, lit up and stocked up just didn't match up the daily cash intake.

I would be amazed to see somone make that cafe work in the current trading conditions when so many other food retailers are struggling in better locations with better reputations.
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: Blongb on December 18, 2010, 05:39:22 pm
The first thing they would have to do is change all the seats. In a Cafe where through-put is needed it's no good having comfortable chairs, where your customers sit for an hour taking in the view. You have to have what’s called in the trade 10 minute chairs. They have two of the back support rods set a little too far forward and although very comfortable at first, as you lean back they dig into your kidneys and become progressively more uncomfortable. I knew a Carpenter who used to make them for the Bakers Oven retail chain.
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: Yorkie on December 18, 2010, 07:38:08 pm
Sounds like a Health and Safety matter to me!    Big compensation claims!   _))*   _))*
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: Blongb on January 01, 2011, 12:02:57 pm
In addition,

6, Make parking easier, its a nightmare round there on busy days.

When the Council applied for and got the “cursed” Lottery grant to restore Happy Valley Gardens to its Victorian splendour, one of the conditions was to remove all the Parking from behind the Café because in Victorian times they didn’t have Car Parks.

Before they got the grant, we were in discussions with the Council to rent some of the proposed 54 place car parking spaces for our guests use.

Another thing the “cursed” Lottery people were insisting on was the removal of most of the mature trees from the Gardens as again in Victorian times they didn’t have any.

Have any of you noticed how the Valley has changed from a lovely secluded garden of old, into open Parkland of today. It makes you want to weep.
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: Yorkie on January 01, 2011, 01:15:05 pm
And there's no where to tie up your horses either!     >?>??
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: Trojan on January 01, 2011, 06:08:43 pm
And there's no where to tie up your horses either!     >?>??

You could always tie it to Victoria's bust.
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: Nemesis on January 02, 2011, 01:23:20 pm
In addition,

6, Make parking easier, its a nightmare round there on busy days.

When the Council applied for and got the “cursed” Lottery grant to restore Happy Valley Gardens to its Victorian splendour, one of the conditions was to remove all the Parking from behind the Café because in Victorian times they didn’t have Car Parks.

Before they got the grant, we were in discussions with the Council to rent some of the proposed 54 place car parking spaces for our guests use.

Another thing the “cursed” Lottery people were insisting on was the removal of most of the mature trees from the Gardens as again in Victorian times they didn’t have any.

Have any of you noticed how the Valley has changed from a lovely secluded garden of old, into open Parkland of today. It makes you want to weep.


Just been up there this a.m. A sweeper wouldn't go amiss.
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: DaveR on January 02, 2011, 08:10:46 pm
I still want to know what happened to the stage area that was promised for Happy Valley in the redevelopment plans:

[smg id=41]
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: Ian on January 03, 2011, 08:02:28 am
From that article, it sounds to me as though they hadn't even obtained lottery funding. Having applied successfully for a grant in excess of £100 000 from the lottery fund, I can confirm that you need all the architectural  plans, planning permissions and rough costings well in place before you even consider approaching them. I also suspect they would have experienced some difficulty in meeting the criteria for the grant.
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: Blongb on January 03, 2011, 05:13:01 pm
The stage area became the almost unused children’s play area, after they had so much trouble stabilising the slope which supports the side wall of the underground water reservoir which is underneath the putting green. I’ve often wondered if the Council were paid for the car parking places (54) they removed in the process. .
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: MrFalafel on January 05, 2011, 02:21:05 pm
12,000 public sector job cuts in North Wales in the next few years. That no doubt means a few thousand for Conwy. That's gonna hurt.

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2011/01/05/12-000-jobs-could-be-lost-in-north-wales-55578-27934121/ (http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2011/01/05/12-000-jobs-could-be-lost-in-north-wales-55578-27934121/)
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: Yorkie on January 05, 2011, 06:33:03 pm
Don't believe everything you read in the newspapers, after all sensationalism is the name of their game!     ¢¢##
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: DaveR on January 16, 2011, 05:49:11 pm
The once lovely display of bedding pants in Happy Valley has been axed - how it used to look:

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2661/3774643099_f95508be5b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davellandudno/3774643099/)
Happy Valley (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davellandudno/3774643099/#) by davidrobertsphotography (http://www.flickr.com/people/davellandudno/), on Flickr

All the flower beds have been planted out with shrubs now - still, visitors who enjoyed the flowers can always go to another seaside resort, can't they...
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: Blongb on February 04, 2011, 12:23:28 am
Happy Valley has been cursed ever since CCBC got the Heritage Lottery Grant, allegedly to return the Gardens to there Victorian Splendour  ))*
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: Fester on February 04, 2011, 12:43:59 am
BlongB !!!
I was only saying to Dave R today that I was wondering where you had got to...... he was guessing 'holiday'
But, its nice to see you back!

Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: Blongb on February 04, 2011, 12:55:39 am
You’ve got that one right, that rotten wife of mine dragged me off kicking and screaming for a fortnights cruising round the Caribbean. It was hell. I couldn't get a decent WIFI connection anywhere and spent my whole holiday wondering what I was missing on the Forum
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: Nemesis on February 04, 2011, 03:37:24 pm
Oh you poor thing  _))*

There were gardeners beavering away in the Happy Valley one day last week, and it looked alot tidier than last time I went up there
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: Blongb on February 04, 2011, 04:04:26 pm
Got to question your description Nemesis as I think vegetation clearers would be far more accurate. Those poor unsupervised well meaning souls have done so much damage to what were beautiful gardens, that it breaks my heart every time I go up there. The complete destruction of the Laburnum Arch, the destruction of the Monkey Puzzle Tree, the destruction of the Rose Arbour, the destruction of the Three Coloured Laburnum Tree, the destruction of the Tree given to Llandudno by Queen Carmen Sylva that was only supposed to flower on Christmas Day, the list goes on and on. In all honesty I don't think the destruction will stop until it is changed from a "Garden" into open Parkland
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: Nemesis on February 05, 2011, 01:19:32 pm
Know exactly what you mean, can I add to the list The arbutus (strawberry tree). That seemed to have vanished.
No I meant that the mouldering heaps of dead leaves and general rubbish had been cleared. My OH and I went up a few weeks ago and everywhere was covered in dead leaves and debris. It was a disgrace.
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: Fester on February 08, 2011, 01:31:50 pm
Manchester have revealed the detail of where £110m of cuts will be made.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-12389726 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-12389726)

You can see that ALL public toilets, some swimming pools, leisure centres and libraries will be closing.

Is this the model for other councils?    For CCBC this  could means that Venue Cymru, and even the NEW swimming pool could come under the spotlight.

No more public loos to close here is there?

Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: DaveR on February 08, 2011, 02:00:22 pm
The Councils are obviously cutting the services they think will make the public squeal the most, so they can blame central Govt, whilst at the same time ensuring their own comfy jobs are kept.
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: Ian on February 08, 2011, 03:09:06 pm
Quote
The Councils are obviously cutting the services they think will make the public squeal the most, so they can blame central Govt,

That's right, and it's a strategy they've used many times in the past.  Unfortunately for the councillors, their reputations in general are barely above those of bankers and far below those of MPs, whose own are hardly of the highest.
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: brumbob on February 08, 2011, 03:45:04 pm
Imagine over a third of all Llandudno's population disappearing overnight
that's how many of Birmingham Councils workforce are going to lose their jobs.
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: DaveR on February 08, 2011, 04:56:10 pm
It was only a matter of time. The country has been living way beyond its means for many years.
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: Blongb on February 08, 2011, 08:18:01 pm
Look at who has joined the ungodly alliance to keep that motley crew at Bodlondeb in power and then, do something about it come the local elections. It is also hoped by this demented writer that our local Tories are a whole lot better organised the next time around because they were certainly caught with there fingers up their bu,,'s the last time around
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: DaveR on February 08, 2011, 08:45:03 pm
Maybe an opportune moment to mention that a few eminent local politicians are members of the Forum. Besides the always informative Jason Weyman (Independent), we also have the leader of the Conservative Councillors on Conwy Council, Janet Finch-Saunders, as well as Mike Priestley, Liberal Councillor and Cabinet Member for the Environment.
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: Fester on February 09, 2011, 12:16:17 am
Never hear much from them though.... and this IS after all a FORUM!   A place for speaking and addressing the public and ones peers.

Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: Fester on February 09, 2011, 01:12:36 am
I quite liked that school ma'amish picture I saw of her in the paper.

Very easy on the eye for a politician....  but SHUSSHHHH, she might be listening !!!



Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: Trojan on February 09, 2011, 01:23:43 am
This is one of my favorites of her.  :-*
Title: Re: CCBC Spending Cutbacks
Post by: Michael on March 29, 2011, 08:38:40 pm
This is just for anyones information. Some departments of Conwy Council have moved. The department that looks after the business premises owned by the Council has moved from the large building alongside Macdonalds in the Junction to Colwyn Bay. From the same building the Tourist Dept has moved to part of the ground floor in the Library building in Mostyn Street. The property management and asset services dept has moved from the second floor in the Library  to the Government buildings in Dinerth Road in Rhos.  A couple of weeks ago I noticed a large removal van outside the library and men taking in furniture, office equipment etc. presumably to the ground floor. I did'nt bother waiting to see whether or not they later took out furniture, office equipment etc. from the second floor en route to Rhos.  ABSOLUTELY NO COMMENT. I don't want to upset CBC  unsigned
Title: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Ian on October 16, 2013, 11:04:18 am
Council funds for the next financial year will be cut by more than 5%.  In a response to a BBC inquiry, CCBC said

"Conwy's financial framework for the period 2012 to 2017 highlighted an extremely challenging financial landscape which predicted an annual resource shortfall of around £5m per year for the financial years covered, even after council tax increases of around 5% per year.  Indeed 2014/2015 projected a shortfall of £4.5m with warnings that 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 were likely to be at similar levels ie 'more of the same'."


There are only two options: they raise council tax - again - or they cut services.

This topic is for the TTF members to say which option they think is more suitable and - if the latter - what services ought to be cut.
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: norman08 on October 16, 2013, 11:28:38 am
few points to look at , how much is venue cymru losing each year , how much did the council make selling the land on gloddaeth ave [old peoples home ] ,how much did they get for land opp hospital [the new app,s ] £ 7.000 to the alice thing ,spending £ 50 ,000 plus redesigning offices when no call for ,shall we go on, i,m sure others will add other saving wher the don,t have to cut services  :rage:
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: wrex on October 16, 2013, 11:33:06 am
The Colwyn Bay skip,they sold the tennis courts opp the hospis,sold the nurseing home on Church walks,it looks like they sold Norm.them to build the skip,that is where the money went
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: nwpo on October 16, 2013, 11:34:02 am
Venue Cymru should have been privatised by now.  There is no need for 5 staff for marketing 4 events in October.

Flintshire are going to remove the subsidy (read - stop paying for the losses) on Clwyd Theatr Cymru, so it's about time that Conwy did as well.  Not to mention the losses on the Tram.

And, just have a look at the amounts that they pay people at the top!
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Dave on October 16, 2013, 12:06:03 pm
 No quibble with those at the top getting high salaries if they deserve them but it seems to me they don't otherwise there wouldn't be a budget deficit and the need to cut back due to poor spending decisions.
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Blongb on October 16, 2013, 12:30:51 pm
There is a great need for the Council to be more accountable for their lamentable spending decisions.

The overspend on the Bridge over the rail crossing at Maesdu Road,

The colossal waist of money on the Colwyn Bay Skip,

The massive pay out for replacing a Chief Executive falsely accused,

The cost of putting thousands of tons of quarry ballast on the beach which has destroyed the North Shore,

The money being spent on Alice after allowing Penmofa to be pulled down,

The overspend on the Swimming Pool because contracts weren't  negotiated properly,

My list goes on and on but I'm sure you catch my drift.
If CCBC were a private company heads would have rolled but in our Public sector no one is being held accountable, WHY?   

The phrase "Not fit for purpose" comes to mind
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Yorkie on October 16, 2013, 05:01:22 pm

There are only two options: they raise council tax - again - or they cut services.



Or as any successful industrial or service company would do . . . .  Reduce overheads, staff, buildings, running costs, and improve productivity with the remaining labour force.

 ZXZ
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Ian on October 16, 2013, 06:40:41 pm
Traditionally, local councils pay their employees more for the same job as done by an outside agency.  I don't know if that's true in CCBC but I imagine that cutting services would reduce staffing. 
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Michael on October 16, 2013, 08:01:31 pm
   Hello NWPO,  Whats this about losses on the tram?   I'm a new boy in Llandudno, but this is the first I have heard of this.Mike
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Cambrian on October 16, 2013, 08:34:13 pm
Just a couple of musings.  Presumably we should look at public expenditure in the round.  We know we now have 60 politicians in the Bay doing what 3 did pre 1997 - and they want more!  But what about the £50 million they recently spent on buying Cardiff Airport from the private sector.  That would have fixed a lot of potholes. Anyone ever asked about salary levels in Welsh Government or why a third of the edifice in the Junction is empty.  Why do they need a guard on the gate there and a staffed reception ?

Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: nwpo on October 17, 2013, 12:10:29 pm
   Hello NWPO,  Whats this about losses on the tram?   I'm a new boy in Llandudno, but this is the first I have heard of this.Mike

It's all in the accounts. Section 30.

"The Council owns and operates the Great Orme Tramway generating income from ticket sales.

The objective is to maximise the operating surplus to provide an ongoing maintenance programme.

The reserve for ongoing maintenance at 31 March 2013 amounted to £325k."

2012/13

Turnover - £773,000
Expenditure - £914,000
Deficit - £141,000
Deficit after adjustment (IAS19) - £138,000

2011/12

Turnover - £819,000
Expenditure - £896,000
Deficit - £77,000
Deficit after adjustment (IAS19) - £73,000
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: nwpo on October 17, 2013, 12:16:34 pm
I've just checked.  The last time the Tram made a surplus (or profit as anyone else would call it) was 2009/10 in the sum of £37,000.
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Merddin Emrys on October 17, 2013, 12:31:17 pm
I've always thought that the Tramway needs a longer operating season, with some evening running in the summer, should bring more revenue in!
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: DaveR on October 17, 2013, 02:18:06 pm
I see no reason why the Tramway needs to be owned by CCBC, to be honest. Freeing it from the dead hand of local authority ownership might well reinvigorate it - perhaps a Great Orme Tramway Society should be set up to take over and run it?
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: nwpo on October 17, 2013, 02:44:24 pm
Ditto Venue Cymru & Theatr Colwyn.
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Fester on October 18, 2013, 12:24:17 am
I have managed departments or functions in the private sector where every year (it seemed), there was a need to find cost reductions of 15%, 20% or even more.   It's painful, but by and large it got done. It had to get done, or someone else would have been brought in to manage it.

Given that CCBC staff were doing exercises to see how they would manage cuts of 5%, 10%, 20 % etc... (each more painful than the last), then this years deficit of 3.6% should be relatively easy to implement.
Also, looking at the lists posted by BlongB and others, cutting back on waste, or being more careful who they dole money out to should attend to the matter.
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: DaveR on October 18, 2013, 08:33:29 am
I might have been dreaming but I'm sure someone was asking how much CCBC received for the sales of various properties around the area?

Site -0906AL08 Woodlands off Old Highway Mochdre 3,000.00
Establishment - AFC210A Glan Aber, Old Colwyn 92,000.00
Site AFB113 County Office, Castle Street, Conwy 221,000.00
Site -0512AL03 - The Surgery, Llanrwst 48,000.00
Site - 0309AL05 - Sewage Works, Cefn Brith, Cerrigydrudion 1.00
Site - AFD70053 - Tyddyn Fadog - Llanrwst 20,600.00
Site - 1008AL10 - Avallon Avenue, Llandudno Junction 5,510.00
Site - 1208AL01 - Conway Road (West), Mochdre 5,500.00
Site - AFB134 - Market Street Offices (NHS Building), Abergele 1.00
Establishment - 1110AL24 - Land Adjacent to 1 Glanrafon, Abergele 2,225.00
Site - SER214 - Plas y Dre Residential Home - Gloddaeth Street, Llandudno 800,700.00
Establishment - AFP412 - Coed Coch Road Public Convenience 4,000.00
Block - 0307SL01 - Car Park 19,350.00
Site - 1108AL07 - Land at Argoed Flats, Llanfairfechan 1.00
Block - SLD522B1 - Canolfan yr Orsedd 531,000.00
Site - H0001 - Land off Penlan, Maes Canol, Abergele 2,500.00
Site - AFD70025 - Pengarth - Conwy 25,000.00
Site - MOR30111 - Llysfaen Sports Complex - Dolwen Road, Llysfaen, Colwyn Bay 2,500.00
Block - MOR30111GF1 - Erw Llewelyn 10,001.00
Site - 0909AL04 - Penmaen Road Playing Fields - Conwy 15,250.00
Site - 1007SL01 - Ysgol Cadnant PRU 15,100.00
Site - EPN202 - Former Ysgol Rowen -
Site - SER212 - Plas Gogarth Residential Home - Church Walks, Llandudno 461,000.00
Site - 0809AL07 - Hillside, Fforydd y Llan, Llysfaen 3,000.00
TOTAL CAPITAL RECEIPTS (12/2012 TO 16/9/2013) 2,287,239.00
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Ian on October 18, 2013, 09:38:13 am
That's eactly the sort of information we need.

Quote
Given that CCBC staff were doing exercises to see how they would manage cuts of 5%, 10%, 20 % etc... (each more painful than the last), then this years deficit of 3.6% should be relatively easy to implement.Also, looking at the lists posted by BlongB and others, cutting back on waste, or being more careful who they dole money out to should attend to the matter.

The Swiss Cantons can call snap elections to defeat proposals they don't like or to remove from office those they feel aren't doing a good job.  That's what we need here.
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: FatAndy on October 18, 2013, 10:47:27 am
Anyone ever asked about salary levels in Welsh Government or why a third of the edifice in the Junction is empty.

It's no longer a third empty.  The Student Loans Company have moved in as "paying tenants" and filled the space that was previously empty.
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: wrex on October 18, 2013, 03:22:39 pm
What about the tennis courts on Abbey rd or was that in last years accounts,
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: DaveR on October 19, 2013, 02:06:51 pm
What about the tennis courts on Abbey rd or was that in last years accounts,
No mention of it, oddly enough?
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Fester on October 19, 2013, 07:44:27 pm
What about the tennis courts on Abbey rd or was that in last years accounts,

Masonic cover up!   :laugh: :laugh:
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Yorkie on October 19, 2013, 08:29:22 pm
What about the tennis courts on Abbey rd or was that in last years accounts,

Masonic cover up!   :laugh: :laugh:

Did you expect a "net" profit?     )*)&
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Blongb on October 20, 2013, 08:44:09 pm
What about the tennis courts on Abbey rd or was that in last years accounts,

Masonic cover up!   :laugh: :laugh:

Did you expect a "net" profit?     )*)&
No chance, they did it for Love  ;D
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: mull on October 20, 2013, 08:50:52 pm
So come on what was the amount for the Tennis Courts ?

Are some people in the know trying to keep it under thier hat ?

We should know by now.
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Blongb on October 20, 2013, 08:58:40 pm
It must be in last year's accounts because it's taken over a year to build the new retirement complex. Mind you although there is nothing intrinsically wrong with timber frame construction for choice I prefer the construction of the other complex on Gloddaeth Ave.  $good$ 
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: norman08 on October 20, 2013, 09:19:29 pm
were the tennis courts owned by loretto [catholic church]
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Nemesis on October 21, 2013, 09:00:56 am
 I prefer the construction of the other complex on Gloddaeth Ave.   

The construction and general appearance are fine ( soon to be hopefully finished), but having obtained a brochure for said flats the costs are very high compared to others in the area.
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Blongb on October 21, 2013, 07:58:52 pm
were the tennis courts owned by loretto [catholic church]


You are of course right Norman, the Council were only involved by permitting the change use of the land in the L.D.P.
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: DaveR on October 22, 2013, 09:15:38 am
Not so, the land was owned by CCBC, they had a 'For Sale' sign on the corner for about two years.

http://www.conwy.gov.uk/E_MINUTES/e_post2002/e_regulatory/e_planning/e_reports/03-33035.pdf (http://www.conwy.gov.uk/E_MINUTES/e_post2002/e_regulatory/e_planning/e_reports/03-33035.pdf)

"Members must also be reminded that on the basis that this is a publicly owned site"
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Llechwedd on October 22, 2013, 10:54:16 am
Wonder what happened to the report made by a company from Bangor. We could see from the hospice that  they were drilling down in what used to be the tennis court to ascertain what the rocks under were etc. and eventually  came upon sea water .  It remained for sale quite a while after that.
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Yorkie on October 22, 2013, 04:15:18 pm
Wonder what happened to the report made by a company from Bangor. We could see from the hospice that  they were drilling down in what used to be the tennis court to ascertain what the rocks under were etc. and eventually  came upon sea water .  It remained for sale quite a while after that.

All land has a "Water Table" this being a measurement under the surface where water is generally always available.  Being so close to the sea, and being so low lying, the water table for Llandudno is only a few feet under our roads and houses, and it is not surprising that it is salty!  Often this is the reason for many buildings being built on piles which are sunk down to a substantially firm base.  More technical stuff available from Google. 
 ;D
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Ian on December 20, 2013, 09:15:12 am
Well, seem we're not alone in having a ropey council:

http://www.rottenborough.org.uk/ (http://www.rottenborough.org.uk/)

http://ombudsmanwatchers.org.uk/evidence_archives/incompetent/evidence_incompetent_index.html (http://ombudsmanwatchers.org.uk/evidence_archives/incompetent/evidence_incompetent_index.html)
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Ian on December 20, 2013, 09:32:28 am
It seems that incompetence, dishonesty and waste permeate the enitre local government structure...

"Eric Pickles' department has been reprimanded by the Whitehall spending watchdog after running up an unauthorised overdraft of £217 million.

It's an embarrassment for Department for Communities and Local Government with Pickles' regularly lecturing local councils on the need to get their finances under control and George Osborne praising Pickles as "the model of lean government".

Head of the National Audit Office (NAO) Amyas Morse announced that he was "qualifying" his regularity opinion of the department's financial statements because of its breach of Treasury spending limits.

eric pickles
Pickles: the model of lean government no more

The NAO disclosed that the Treasury had imposed a £20,000 fine on his department as a punishment for its poor financial management. (So this is us - the tax payer - imposing a fine on, er...us, the taxpayers)

In a further setback, the NAO found that the department's local government capital expenditure limit of £80,000 had been exceeded by almost £1.2 million as a result of overspending by two of its arm's-length bodies - the Valuation Tribunal Service and the Commission of Local Administration in England.

Chairman of the Commons Public Accounts Committee Margaret Hodge described the failure of the department to control its finances as "a shocking example of incompetence".

"This is an unacceptable abuse and waste of public money that could have been avoided with the right financial oversight," she said.

"I am staggered that the department has been so blase with its resources and so poor at staying within some of its budgets.

"If local authorities, for whom the department is responsible, acted in this way, the department would be down on them like a ton of bricks. The Department for Communities and Local Government must learn lessons and ensure it does not repeat these mistakes."
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Fester on December 21, 2013, 01:36:49 am
Is that a recent article Ian?
You see, despite being a Bradford Lad, I am certain that Mr Pickles has been lambasted for wasting similar sums of public money in the past.  Not long past either.
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Ian on December 21, 2013, 08:19:03 am
Quote
Is that a recent article Ian?

June this year, F, and from the Huffington Post.

Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Yorkie on December 21, 2013, 11:06:21 am
You see, despite being a Bradford Lad, I am certain that Mr Pickles has been lambasted for wasting similar sums of public money in the past.  Not long past either.

Wilfred Pickles and his Mrs used to give the stuff away just for "Having a go, Joe!"   :D
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: DaveR on February 04, 2014, 10:42:47 am
CCBC Turkeys in 'not voting for Christmas' shock....  :laugh:

Conwy council rejects merger with neighbouring Denbighshire

A meeting was told council tax in Conwy county would go up if the authority joined forces with its neighbour.

Last week the Williams report recommended that the two authorities be combined into a single council.

But Conwy's deputy leader said the report did not mention the cost of mergers, and previous collaborations had not worked.

Last week First Minister Carwyn Jones said: "Change is inevitable and essential so that our public services can become more efficient, effective, accessible and responsive".

On Friday, councillors in Conwy considered a proposal that the authority should support a merger with Denbighshire and begin the process of making it happen.

But the idea was rejected by a large number of the councillors, who voted against starting talks about a merger.

Conwy council deputy leader Ronnie Hughes said: "I'm not going to lie down like a lap dog and let people stroke my stomach.

"It's foolish to start any negotiations with any other authority at the present time.

"Nowhere in the Williams report does it mention the costs of council mergers. Who picks up that bill? It's an absolute disgrace.

"We've had partnerships (with Denbighshire) in the past over highways - it was a disaster. I vote we stay as we are."

Councillor Mike Priestley added it would be "premature" to begin talks to create a new authority.

He said he was worried that council tax bills in Conwy county borough would go up if the two authorities merged.

Council tax bills for a band D home in Conwy council are currently £918.93, compared to £1,074.09 in Denbighshire.

Officials at Conwy council say that a merger of the two councils would probably mean a "blending" of the council tax levels, with Denbighshire's council tax coming down and the bill in Conwy going up.

They had calculated that the rise in Conwy would be 7.34% at current levels.

"Why should we merge with Denbighshire - they charge more for worse services," said Councillor Dave Cowans.

Councillor Graham Rees added: "I don't want to send a message that we're happy to dispose of Conwy on someone's whim. I'm going to fight tooth and nail to keep Conwy as Conwy."

But Councillor Goronwy Edwards, who proposed the motion, said: "The status quo is not the way forward.

"I will not sit back while the Welsh government pushes council mergers through.

"You could cut me in half and I'd have Conwy written inside me through and through.

"But we can either be part of the debate on reorganisation of local government or we can be spectators. I know which I'd rather be."

Councillor Joan Vaughan said it was only three years until a merged authority could come into being.

She added: "Three years is not a long time in politics. We need to be working on shaping the future now."

Councillors voted by a large majority for an alternative motion, which said that no merger talks would begin yet, but the authority would set up a committee to monitor the situation.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-25984467 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-25984467)
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: DaveR on February 04, 2014, 10:45:43 am
Now, I'm not suggesting Cllrr Ronnie Hughes is out of touch or anything but his comments are slightly odd:

"We've had partnerships (with Denbighshire) in the past over highways - it was a disaster."

...given that the joint Conwy/Denbighshire Highways dept received a major award for their collaboration a few years ago?

Conwy and Denbighshire's Joint Highways and Infrastructure Service has been awarded the 'Best Public / Public Partnership Working Initiative' at the APSE Service Awards 2010.

Councils throughout the UK compete for a place on the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) winners list.

Early in 2008, both Conwy and Denbighshire Councils had a vacancy for a Head of Service for their Highways Departments. The two councils decided on an innovative, collaborative approach that led to the appointment of a joint Head of Service and the establishment of a joint cross-boundary Highways and Infrastructure Service.  This close working and collaboration has provided a more sustainable and efficient management of resources.

Stuart Davies, Joint Head of Highways and Infrastructure for Conwy and Denbighshire Councils said, "The commitment shown by both authorities to collaborative working is at the forefront of local government thinking.  It's fantastic that our pioneering approach to collaboration has been recognised, and has triumphed against authorities across the UK."

Cllr Dilwyn Roberts, Leader Conwy County Borough Council said: "Winning this category is a real achievement. The award recognises the benefits of the collaboration in reducing costs and improving services for the residents of Conwy and Denbighshire."

Cllr Hugh Evans, Leader of Denbighshire County Council said: "We are really pleased that this partnership between Denbighshire and Conwy has been a success and is working so well. Working in partnership is the way forward and we look forward to working with Conwy and other organisations on this and future partnership opportunities."

http://www.conwy.gov.uk/doc.asp?cat=7565&doc=27020 (http://www.conwy.gov.uk/doc.asp?cat=7565&doc=27020)
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: FatAndy on February 04, 2014, 06:08:17 pm
Now, I'm not suggesting Cllrr Ronnie Hughes is out of touch or anything but his comments are slightly odd:

"We've had partnerships (with Denbighshire) in the past over highways - it was a disaster."

...given that the joint Conwy/Denbighshire Highways dept received a major award for their collaboration a few years ago?

Conwy and Denbighshire's Joint Highways and Infrastructure Service has been awarded the 'Best Public / Public Partnership Working Initiative' at the APSE Service Awards 2010.

Councils throughout the UK compete for a place on the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) winners list.

I have it on good authority from someone inside the Highways department that the collaboration with Denbighshire was a complete disaster and wasted shedloads of money.  Stuart Davies has long since departed his post so I doubt he still thinks the pioneering approach to collaboration is quite as fantastic as he did three years ago.
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: rhos.rover on February 05, 2014, 01:20:21 am
Now, I'm not suggesting Cllrr Ronnie Hughes is out of touch or anything but his comments are slightly odd:

"We've had partnerships (with Denbighshire) in the past over highways - it was a disaster."

...given that the joint Conwy/Denbighshire Highways dept received a major award for their collaboration a few years ago?

Conwy and Denbighshire's Joint Highways and Infrastructure Service has been awarded the 'Best Public / Public Partnership Working Initiative' at the APSE Service Awards 2010.

Councils throughout the UK compete for a place on the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) winners list.

I have it on good authority from someone inside the Highways department that the collaboration with Denbighshire was a complete disaster and wasted shedloads of money.  Stuart Davies has long since departed his post so I doubt he still thinks the pioneering approach to collaboration is quite as fantastic as he did three years ago.

I can back Andy up on that. At least three trusted members of CCBC (in positions that should know the facts) also told me that it was a total mess that cost Conwy dearly. And it wasn’t our Councils fault that time…

I would be panicking about an amalgamation with Denbighshire, if I didn’t regard it as a certainty. What’s the point in getting stressed over a massive political agenda that will come into place regardless of what we say or want?   
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Ian on February 05, 2014, 08:35:40 am
Quote
Councillors voted by a large majority for an alternative motion, which said that no merger talks would begin yet, but the authority would set up a committee to monitor the situation.


 _))* _))* _))* _))* _))* _))* _))*
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: FatAndy on February 05, 2014, 08:39:06 am
Remember the school bus fiasco.  Collaborative working with Denbighshire taking the lead.  Denbighshire came in on budget but Conwy overspent by £550,000.  Maybe that was all just coincidence  :roll:.
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Fester on February 05, 2014, 11:38:25 pm
Quote
Councillors voted by a large majority for an alternative motion, which said that no merger talks would begin yet, but the authority would set up a committee to monitor the situation.


 _))* _))* _))* _))* _))* _))* _))*

That just sums up politics!  :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Blongb on February 06, 2014, 03:23:58 pm
If ever the council is put in the position of having to make a decision it is standard practice to form a committee to look into it. They in turn will form a sub committee, who in turn will need outside consultants to advise them. Hey Presto its 5 to 10 years down the road and nothing has been achieved except of course a great deal of council tax payers money has been swallowed up in the process. 
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: DaveR on February 06, 2014, 06:53:24 pm
The thing is that it's not remotely CCBC's decision to make, so they are wasting their time. The Welsh Government will decide the changes and order them to be implemented. The wishes of Conwy Councillors are irrelevant, so they may as well spend their time on something more productive.
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Fester on February 06, 2014, 09:27:39 pm
Absolutely Dave.  The merger of councils in Wales is something that is HAPPENING to councils, it is a process that will be dictated to them.

Having meetings, projects, committees etc, about the mergers, is a terrible waste of time and money.

They might as well have meetings about whether an asteroid is going to hit the Earth anytime in the future.
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Ian on February 07, 2014, 08:18:21 am
Quote
Having meetings, projects, committees etc, about the mergers, is a terrible waste of time and money.

But surely you don't expect them to change the habits of a lifetime?  ££$
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Ian on February 21, 2014, 08:45:57 am
Nice to see CCBC has agreed a 5% hike in council tax. Roll on the mergers.
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: suepp on February 21, 2014, 09:18:57 am
I visited the Sun Centre last summer, it was very very busy and I felt the largely very young staff were overwhelmed at the task of keeping it going, with long queues to get in, there were people jumping into the water next to the sign saying "do not jump", very long queues on the fairly slippery steps going up to the  slides, the changing rooms smelt awful and I spotted a discarded nappy on the floor of a changing booth, I was also very aware of a strong smell of food  wafting over from the poolside burger bar. Given the fairly expensive admission price it could hardly be closed for being uneconomical to run and under used, but there again I did decide never to venture there again!
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: wrex on June 02, 2014, 09:52:59 pm
There must have been massive cuts in the parks dept as the grass is uncut and the gardens have been left to over grow,nice one CCBC.
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Mikethewatch on June 02, 2014, 10:02:53 pm
I'm led to believe all the plants have gone over to Colwyn bay in an attempt to brighten up the area around 'Port HairyArse' ( the skip)
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: FatAndy on June 03, 2014, 06:32:53 pm
I'm led to believe all the plants have gone over to Colwyn bay in an attempt to brighten up the area around 'Port HairyArse' ( the skip)

I believe some of the residents of Colwyn Bay pay council tax and some businesses there pay rates so I think they're well within their rights to expect a few flowers get passed their way.  As a council tax payer who doesn't live in either Llandudno or Colwyn Bay I congratulate Conwy CBC on remembering that there are towns other than Llandudno within the county borders.  It's about time!
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: DaveR on June 03, 2014, 07:06:30 pm
I'm led to believe all the plants have gone over to Colwyn bay in an attempt to brighten up the area around 'Port HairyArse' ( the skip)

I believe some of the residents of Colwyn Bay pay council tax and some businesses there pay rates so I think they're well within their rights to expect a few flowers get passed their way.  As a council tax payer who doesn't live in either Llandudno or Colwyn Bay I congratulate Conwy CBC on remembering that there are towns other than Llandudno within the county borders.  It's about time!
How much in the way of Business Rates does Colwyn Bay pull in compared to Llandudno, I wonder?
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: llewelyn on June 04, 2014, 12:41:51 pm
There should be enough for all areas, in Oswestry last night a number of gardeners edging lawns and weeding borders at 8pm, their park makes our displays look pathetic.  :-[
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: FatAndy on June 04, 2014, 03:42:05 pm
I'm led to believe all the plants have gone over to Colwyn bay in an attempt to brighten up the area around 'Port HairyArse' ( the skip)

I believe some of the residents of Colwyn Bay pay council tax and some businesses there pay rates so I think they're well within their rights to expect a few flowers get passed their way.  As a council tax payer who doesn't live in either Llandudno or Colwyn Bay I congratulate Conwy CBC on remembering that there are towns other than Llandudno within the county borders.  It's about time!
How much in the way of Business Rates does Colwyn Bay pull in compared to Llandudno, I wonder?

I don't know but if you're proposing apportioning spending based on contribution it's worth bearing in mind that Llandudno only accounts for about 17% of the population of Conwy County so perhaps Llandudno should only be entitled to about 17% of the expenditure funding from Council Tax.  I'm sure 83% of the population of the county would be more than happy to see that happen.  And as the combined population of Colwyn Bay, Old Colwyn and Llysfaen is roughly the same as that of Llandudno then they should get roughly the same expenditure.  That clearly hasn't always been the case when you consider that Llandudno's underutilised seafront monstrosity was built on a far greater scale than Colwyn Bay's underutilised seafront monstrosity. 

But that aside in these austerity times the council shouldn't be wasting money on planting flowers when there are far more pressing needs - social care, education, highway maintenance, etc.  What Conwy CBC need to do is follow the lead of other councils which have flower bed sponsorship schemes set up.  Get the likes of M&S, McDonald's and the St. George's Hotel pay for the flowers so the council can fritter it's money away on trivialities like care homes, social workers and schools.
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Ian on June 04, 2014, 04:46:34 pm
Here are the  stats from the 2011 census for both towns.
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: born2run on June 04, 2014, 04:51:27 pm
What are the 'caravan or temporary structure' stats about? I thought it was the law you couldn't live in one year round?
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: DaveR on June 04, 2014, 04:53:46 pm
If you look at spending, then Colwyn Bay gets far more than Llandudno for capital projects.

*takes deep breath* Porth Eirias, the entire promenade being rebuilt at a cost of £81m*, the new Rugby centre in Eirias Park, a completely revamped Theatr Colwyn, a completely revamped Station Road, a completely revamped Penrhyn Road, a completely revamped Sea View Road, Market Hall project, millions spent on the Townscape Heritage Initiative project, many more millions spent on renovating housing within central Colwyn Bay, acquisition of Government Buildings in Coed Pella road.....and probably a few more than I've missed!

Costs of all the above? Well, I found these two articles:

*"Conwy Council’s coastal defence strategy proposes  a programme of phased improvement works to bolster  the existing sea wall and maintenance of defences over the next hundred years. The Council has estimated that the construction and long term management of the Colwyn Bay defence strategy will cost around £81m."
http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/environmentandcountryside/2014/140227colwyn/?lang=en (http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/environmentandcountryside/2014/140227colwyn/?lang=en)

"The award of a £594,900 development grant is part of a wider £56 million regeneration of the town."
http://www.itv.com/news/wales/update/2013-05-24/grant-for-historic-pier/ (http://www.itv.com/news/wales/update/2013-05-24/grant-for-historic-pier/)

If I look at Llandudno in the last 10 years, I can think of the Railway Station (£5m), the Swimming Pool (£6m) and Venue Cymru (£11m). That equates to a total of £22m spent in the last ten years, compared with £137m in Colwyn Bay.
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: DaveR on June 04, 2014, 04:57:16 pm
in these austerity times the council shouldn't be wasting money on planting flowers when there are far more pressing needs - social care, education, highway maintenance, etc.  What Conwy CBC need to do is follow the lead of other councils which have flower bed sponsorship schemes set up.  Get the likes of M&S, McDonald's and the St. George's Hotel pay for the flowers so the council can fritter it's money away on trivialities like care homes, social workers and schools.
You just don't get it, Andy. Tourism is the lifeblood of Llandudno..and North Wales, for that matter. Without attractive, well maintained public areas, visitors will simply not return. It's that simple.
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: wrex on June 04, 2014, 06:30:46 pm
Unfortunatley like Fatandy CCBC don,t get it either.
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: FatAndy on June 05, 2014, 12:29:30 pm
Here are the  stats from the 2011 census for both towns.

And here are the ones for Old Colwyn and Llysfaen which for some reason have been seperated out of Colwyn Bay.

http://www.conwy.gov.uk/upload/public/attachments/538/2011_Census_area_profile__Old_Colwyn.pdf (http://www.conwy.gov.uk/upload/public/attachments/538/2011_Census_area_profile__Old_Colwyn.pdf)
http://www.conwy.gov.uk/upload/public/attachments/535/2011_Census_area_profile__Llysfaen.pdf (http://www.conwy.gov.uk/upload/public/attachments/535/2011_Census_area_profile__Llysfaen.pdf)
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Ian on July 22, 2014, 10:03:34 am
Interesting post from Guto Bebb (http://threetownsforum.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,1462.msg74572/topicseen.html#msg74572) in which he makes public the fact that the retiring Chief Education officer - Geraint James - is to be given a redundancy package of £40,000 despite the man being about to retire, and having notified the CEO that he would be so doing some months earlier. In short, Bebb thinks this seems suspicious, since James (among others) was only appointed when Conwy was formed with the initial (but incredibly naive) hope that Conwy would keep costs down by sharing services.  Of course, that didn't happen, as CCBC people wanted to build their own little empire, so filled the place with spurious and unnecessary appointments. 

In short, CCBC are going to keep doing what they do best: spending Tax-payers' money completely unnecessarily and Guto Bebb deserves Kudos for having made this entire lamentable affair public.
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Merddin Emrys on July 22, 2014, 10:07:52 am
As I said on the other thread, very wrong!  &shake&
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: DaveR on July 22, 2014, 11:13:42 am
Don't you think an MP should live in the Constituency that he serves? Mr Bebb lives in Caernarfon, I believe.
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Yorkie on July 22, 2014, 11:26:43 am
Don't you think an MP should live in the Constituency that he serves? Mr Bebb lives in Caernarfon, I believe.

Not refering to any MP in particular, I think providing they are representing the people in their Constituency in an efficient and well regarded manner, they can live on the moon.  Half the time they are in London so it doesn't really matter where their home is.  Similar with MEP's or AM's.
County and Town Councillors are a different matter!  Too many different tiers of Government, I think!
 ZXZ
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Greyhound on July 22, 2014, 12:11:34 pm
I imagine that with (I think) 5 school age children, he might be reluctant to uproot them to move, especially as it's easily commutable from Caernarfon.

My own view is that if they're serving it well then it's probably not necessary to move. I also think that, as with teachers, it's pretty beneficial for your own sanity not to live in the immediate area as people could turn up at your house at all hours and harass you when you're just nipping to the shop for a pint of milk. Although MP's obviously should be accessible, I think they deserve to be anonymous some of the time and I am not sure that's always possible if they live directly in the heart of the area.
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: DaveR on July 22, 2014, 12:21:41 pm
Is he serving it well though? I've never seen him in Llandudno and no-one I know ever mentions him.

What has he done about the Pier Pavilion site issue, surely Llandudno's biggest and most long running eyesore? I found a two sentence comment from him about it in an old newspaper article from years ago. That's the sum total of his work to sort it out.

Considering he earns £65k a year and collects £170k in Expenses, perhaps he could stir himself a little more out of Caernarfon occasionally?
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Greyhound on July 22, 2014, 12:28:29 pm
Although I think he's a good MP and very responsive when you get in touch with him, I do agree that he should be a lot more of a doorstep campaigner. Pavement politics is important, especially somewhere like North Wales.
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: norman08 on July 22, 2014, 02:46:05 pm
As dave says.   What has he done for Llandudno ,  he said he had to vote in the commons when they had the meetings for the beach ,he there for a photo, t hey are in it for what they can get ,£100 1st class at least from Bangor
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Ian on July 22, 2014, 02:57:28 pm
Quote
Don't you think an MP should live in the Constituency that he serves? Mr Bebb lives in Caernarfon, I believe.

Not sure it's relevant that much in this day and age. But what about what he's saying?
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Ian on July 23, 2014, 08:37:52 am
Well, the Geraint James story has hit the BBC News:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-28415795 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-28415795)
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: DaveR on July 23, 2014, 09:03:39 am
Quote
Don't you think an MP should live in the Constituency that he serves? Mr Bebb lives in Caernarfon, I believe.

Not sure it's relevant that much in this day and age. But what about what he's saying?
I agree that what he's saying re CCBC is absolutely correct..

As far as living in the Constituency goes, I believe an MP needs to be out and about in the Community every day, not just holding formal sessions once a week etc. You might say that Mr Bebb doesn't want to move his children to Llandudno or doesn't wish to be bothered by his constituents all the time. I would suggest that no-one is forcing him to stand for MP and plenty of people more committed to the local area could do the job just as well. If he's happy to collect £200k+ a year from the taxpayer, then he could put a little more effort in maybe?
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Ian on July 23, 2014, 09:14:03 am
Quote
As far as living in the Constituency goes, I believe an MP needs to be out and about in the Community every day, not just holding formal sessions once a week etc.

I don't know, really. He'll always have a massive mailbag of complaints and questions from his constituents each day to get through, then there'll be party business, lobbying meetings, heaps of admin to do and that's all before House business. But I suppose you might have a point, in that he could be more geographically accessible.
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: DaveR on September 10, 2014, 10:47:29 am
Denbighshire councillors reluctantly agree to back merger with Conwy
Published date: 10 September 2014 | Published by: Rebecca Cole

COUNCILLORS have reluctantly agreed to back plans to broach a voluntary merger with a neighbouring authority.

Members of Denbighshire Council followed the recommendation of chief executive Mohammed Mehmet to open talks with Conwy Council as the Welsh Government looks to reduce the number of local authorities in the country as part of its ‘reforming local government’ programme.

Mr Mehmet, reassured councillors any agreement would be dependent on both councils securing a "substantial financial and support package" from the Welsh Government which must be agreed to before proceeding.

Many councillors criticised the timing of the restructure claiming it would be a costly exercise when local councils were already battling huge budget cuts.

Mr Mehmet admitted a voluntary merger would not be easy but it had "potential positives" which could help lessen the blow.

However county councillor for Llangollen Stuart Davies warned Dee Valley residents would feel isolated and claimed many felt no connection to Conwy and favoured looking East to Wrexham, though he admitted his political views had not allowed him to support this view in the past.

"I always said we should stick to the status quo but we can't do that,” he explained.

"There are a lot of concerns about where these county councils are going to meet, for example where the buildings will be, and there's a lot of noise about looking towards Wrexham.

"I was against that ... however, with the thought of having to go to Conwy, we're going to be left out on a limb."

Mr Mehmet said the possibility of Denbighshire merging with Wrexham was unrealistic and the council eventually backed his recommendation that the authority express an interest in voluntarily merging with Conwy by April 2018 instead of waiting for a compulsory merger later on.

Cllr Hugh Evans, leader of the council, agreed he preferred the status quo and felt like the council’s back was “against the wall” but supported Mr Mehmet by saying a merger was inevitable and signing up on a voluntary rather than compulsory basis would be better for the county.

“It’s important we take control of our destiny and (a voluntary merger) is the right thing to do in my opinion,” he said.

A number of councillors also expressed concerns about the Welsh Government’s ability to help the council through a voluntary merger but Mr Mehmet suggested the two authorities combined had the potential of becoming the “powerhouse” of Wales by taking the lead.

http://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/138014/denbighshire-councillors-reluctantly-agree-to-back-merger-with-conwy.aspx (http://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/138014/denbighshire-councillors-reluctantly-agree-to-back-merger-with-conwy.aspx)
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Fester on September 10, 2014, 11:14:10 pm
Those Councillors are simply making noises about protecting their own positions.
I can see NOTHING in that entire article about enhancing the service provision to those citizens who employ them, merely that they feel like they are having to merge at the point of a gun.

They also bleat on about it only happening if they secure a large financial package from the Welsh Assembly.
Presumably that will simply be to pay for THEIR cushy exit awards, or redundancies.

When, Oh when will these supposed ''public servants'' wake up and realise that these County Council mergers are about SAVING largesums of public money, not demanding more of it?

Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Ian on September 11, 2014, 07:27:23 am
I found it quite an amusing article. One or two things sprang out:

Quote
Many councillors criticised the timing of the restructure claiming it would be a costly exercise when local councils were already battling huge budget cuts.

Never seemed to worry them last time, when the old counties were split up to make more and smaller councils which worked out costing significantly more than the old, much larger, bodies.

Quote
"I always said we should stick to the status quo but we can't do that,” he explained.


Sop nothing should change, then? Original take for any councillor.

Quote
with the thought of having to go to Conwy, we're going to be left out on a limb."

Pity there's no way to reach Conwy from the Dee valley.  What's that? Roads, you say? When were they constructed?

Quote
When, Oh when will these supposed ''public servants'' wake up and realise that these County Council mergers are about SAVING large sums of public money, not demanding more of it?

Never, I suspect.

Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: FatAndy on September 11, 2014, 09:16:18 am
Quote
with the thought of having to go to Conwy, we're going to be left out on a limb."

Pity there's no way to reach Conwy from the Dee valley.  What's that? Roads, you say? When were they constructed?

What the Councillor was saying is that people in Llangollen would prefer to be in the same county as Wrexham rather than get lumped in with Conwy.  I'm sure there's been a campaign in the past to get the town moved from Denbighshire into Wrexham County so this is nothing new.  It's an argument that makes complete sense as well.  It's about an hours drive each way from Llangollen to Conwy (the town) and by public transport the quickest route would be a bus to Ruabon and then a train to Conwy which would take about two hours each way and cost £25+ (unless you've got a bus pass).  In the organisation I work for whenever we get clients living in Llangollen we always refer them to our Wrexham office rather than our Denbighshire office (which is in Rhyl) and I'm sure lots of other places also effectively treat Llangollen as being in Wrexham county as well so why not make that official.

The other way to consider this is that if Llangollen was part of a merged Conwy/Denbighshire county then would you be happy to have to travel to Llangollen if for example you had to meet with a council officer?
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: SteveH on October 05, 2014, 09:15:37 am
Extract....draft Welsh Government budget as axe falls on local government

"But the biggest overall loser was local government which has already been warned to expect a 4.5% cut and council leaders warned their cash-strapped authorities were at ‘tipping point’ after fresh £154m of cuts and ‘some services could disappear’ along with jobs."

“While council leaders understand the pressures being placed on the overall Welsh budget, many of the services that communities take for granted are now at risk, including leisure centres, libraries, community facilities and day centres. “Redundancies will unfortunately become unavoidable, and I fear for the future of services that provide critical support to the most vulnerable in the community.”
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/nhs-big-winner-draft-welsh-7862068 (http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/nhs-big-winner-draft-welsh-7862068)
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: DaveR on October 05, 2014, 10:49:55 am
I think that Councils deliberately cut frontline services, to protect their own cushy jobs. It's always interesting to see the very well paid jobs are advertised on the CCBC website at a time of apparent 'extreme austerity'.  &shake&
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Ian on October 05, 2014, 11:41:16 am
Here's an interesting quote:

"By its very nature local government is bound to provoke more complaints than central authorities. We believe that committee meetings should be open as of right as many councils are too secretive".

Made in May, 1966, by a front bench spokesman for Wilson's Government, it shows how far things have come since then...

Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: SteveH on October 05, 2014, 12:27:43 pm
Here's an interesting quote:
"By its very nature local government is bound to provoke more complaints than central authorities. We believe that committee meetings should be open as of right as many councils are too secretive".
Made in May, 1966, by a front bench spokesman for Wilson's Government, it shows how far things have come since then...

I am not sure if it just me, but the few "open" web cam. meetings I have viewed, leave me non the wiser, when you take out the protocols, the thank you's, the references to files number this or that, he/she is following up on. etc. they are saying nothing, so I wonder if it would make much difference.

I think there must be a civil servant course in evasive dialogue... WWW
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: DaveR on October 05, 2014, 04:52:57 pm
Committee meetings are generally a sham, in my view. The real decisions are taken by Council staff, who may have their own agendas to propogate and who, of course, are not accountable in any way to the electorate.  &shake&
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: SteveH on October 05, 2014, 05:19:34 pm
Committee meetings are generally a sham, in my view. The real decisions are taken by Council staff, who may have their own agendas to propogate and who, of course, are not accountable in any way to the electorate.  &shake&
I said somewhere before, just like ...."Yes Minister"    :)
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: SteveH on October 08, 2014, 06:24:59 pm
£146m axed from council budgets in Wales

Councils in Wales have been told they will get £146m less in 2015-16 from the Welsh government.

Public Services Minister Leighton Andrews said local authorities will get £4.12bn in their block grants - an overall cut of 3.4% on this year.
Ministers insist none of Wales' 22 councils will see an individual cut of more than 4.5%.

Conservative shadow local government minister Janet Finch-Saunders described Mr Andrews' announcement as a "tough Labour settlement", arguing Labour ministers should have frozen council taxes, a policy followed in England and Scotland.
"This would have eased the pressure on hardworking families and facilitated the prevention of huge hikes in bills," she added.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-29539935 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-29539935)
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: SteveH on October 08, 2014, 09:08:19 pm
North Wales council tax payers warned to expect bigger bills as services face cuts

Council tax payers in North Wales were warned to expect bigger bills as services are axed under a tough financial squeeze.
Leaders of local authorities warned ‘a tipping point’ had been reached in finances that could result in the ‘disappearance of key services’.
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/north-wales-council-tax-payers-7906036 (http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/north-wales-council-tax-payers-7906036)
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Jonty Hammers on October 09, 2014, 08:28:12 am
While I think some councils/councillors across Wales have been at least a smidgen guilty of wanting to protect their positions when opposing mergers, many have voiced a reasonable set of grievances with the proposed plans. Calling the proposals set out in the White Paper "options" was something of a contradiction in terms (it was option one and er...that's it!), and the WG hasn't set out much in the way of guidance on how much the whole thing is going to cost.

I'm all for a "spend to save" mentality and if, in the long run, that's what the Welsh Government wants to do then bully for them - but bringing in a bureaucratic reshuffle at a time widely touted as one of public sector austerity is an own goal on the government's part.

There needs to be far more discussion over a wider set of options (redrawing the maps and boundaries altogether would be a good start - the example of Llangollen cited earlier on hits the nail on the head; I've friends there and they've always said their links are strongest with Wrexham, and they'd be out on a limb if they were incorporated in to a new Conbighshire/Dinwy authority).

While it might be regressive, I'd think we couldn't go far wrong in bringing back something a bit like the old Gwynedd and Clwyd authorities. The major obstacle they'd have to avoid is forcing people to drive dozens of miles if they had any problems with their civic services (that said, people in Ysbyty Ifan, which falls under Conwy Borough, already have to drive 20-odd miles if they want to get to Bodlondeb).
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: SteveH on October 09, 2014, 10:18:42 am
BBC WALES NEWS VIDEO

Council cuts and senior managers' pay
8 October 2014 Last updated at 21:51 BST
As councils have been told their budgets will be slashed by £146m next year, BBC Wales economics correspondent Sarah Dickins considers whether savings could be made by cutting the wage bill for senior managers.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-29546626 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-29546626)
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting BUDGET CUTS
Post by: SteveH on October 09, 2014, 02:55:03 pm
North Wales council budgets slashed by up to 4.3 per cent

Conwy County Council is the region's hardest hit authority in the Welsh Government's Budget settlement for the 2015-2016 financial year, with a drop from £158 million down to £151.2 million.

“These cuts will inevitably lead to further cuts in services and I am concerned that households in both Conwy and Denbighshire will see yet another increase in their council tax as a result. “

http://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/139231/north-wales-council-budgets-slashed-by-up-to-4-3-per-cent.aspx (http://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/139231/north-wales-council-budgets-slashed-by-up-to-4-3-per-cent.aspx)
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: SteveH on October 10, 2014, 01:11:01 pm
GOOD NEWS BAD NEWS
Best thread I could think of for this.....Over the weekend, our low level street sign broke all but one of it's rivets, the result a clanging, dangerous obstacle especially for children, I did a quick fix with some wire, and yesterday phoned the council and reported the fault, and as I type, I can hear the drilling and replacement rivets being fitted, job finished in 10 minutes, now you cannot complain over that can you,all done in 24 hours, makes a change from what you usually hear on here..... $good$

Now then yesterdays phone call, approx 30 minutes, I am not complaining about the delays or being shuttled from one dept. to another, but,.... it took me 20 min's. to convince them we did not need a new sign...without question they were going to have a new sign made, I said the sign was in perfect condition and if they were quick, it only needed a few rivets, and would save money, It got through when I said tax payers money... $angry$
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Michael on October 10, 2014, 07:48:07 pm
  Very good SteveH. But how many of us have the time and the patience to do what you did. I'm afraid I hav'ent. If I hadn't hung up the phone in desperation, I would have said "please yourself if you want to stick a new sign up." There we are, you are to be admired but my slightly volatile patience wouldn't have let me do it.
  Whilst in this thread Jonty Hammers stated he thought it might be a bit regressive to bring back something like the old giant Gwynedd and Clwyd county councils.
   Yes, you could be right. But don't forget it was'ent just these two super councils and they were broken up and the new boundaries.
   Its a good while ago, over 25 years, but I am reasonably sure a whole tier of local government was wiped out at the same time. I think it was the big two, then smaller councils like Rhyl, Llandudno, then very small parish councils, town councils call them what you like.
   So you could have three councils operating in the same patch. As an example the big councils were responsible for the main transport road links, the A55 as an example. But smaller roads, maybe Mostyn Street, would be Llandudnos responsibility. I do know that this led to friction between councils. I remember some village council laying in to Clwyd in the enormous Shire Hall in Mold because one of their lorries was being parked at night and they claimed in was damaging their village green.
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Fester on October 11, 2014, 12:27:42 am
Conwy Council and others are stating very clearly that the new level of funding will lead to both increased Council Tax bills, and some reduction in essential services.

Well, I am sick of such talk when we are being taxed to death, yet there are armies of managers on SIX figures salaries.
I would say that some some essential services have been been reducing already.

When you gave someone the title 'Manager', and incidentally pay them an enormous sum, is it unreasonable to expect them to 'Manage'?   $angry$ $angry$

Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Ian on October 11, 2014, 08:15:08 am
Quote
there are armies of managers on SIX figures salaries.

How many in CCBC enjoy that level of remuneration?
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Cambrian on October 11, 2014, 08:59:07 am
When we had Gwynedd and Clwyd, we also had District or Borough Councils which provided most of the traditional local government services - waste, housing, public health, planning, leisure facilities and so on.  The two Counties dealt principally with education, social services, highways, fire service and strategic planning.


Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: SteveH on October 11, 2014, 09:05:24 am
Quote
there are armies of managers on SIX figures salaries.
How many in CCBC enjoy that level of remuneration?
Slightly related to the above, I still would like to see a breakdown of the Venue Cymru yearly salary amount of £1.700,000.... >>>
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Fester on October 11, 2014, 07:23:59 pm
Quote
there are armies of managers on SIX figures salaries.

How many in CCBC enjoy that level of remuneration?

I hoped you wouldn't ask me that, but.... from memory recall that over 200 CCBC officials earn more than £60k per year.
Something like 60 employees earn more than £100k per year.   I believe that the CEO gets approx £200k (or did)
I think I saw the exact figures quoted on here a couple of years ago, but it might have been Oscar, or it might have been the Weekly News.
I remember being astounded at the time.
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: SteveH on October 14, 2014, 02:05:41 pm
Conwy County Council facing 'worst case scenario' budget cuts

CONWY County Council is facing a “worst case scenario” with its funding slashed 4.3 by the Welsh Government.
The county is the hardest hit in the region in last week’s Welsh Government Budget settlement for 2015-2016, with the biggest funding drop from £158 million down to £151.2 million.
The council’s finance bosses are looking at “additional income from Council Tax” as a result.
http://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/139414/conwy-county-council-facing-worst-case-scenario-budget-cuts.aspx (http://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/139414/conwy-county-council-facing-worst-case-scenario-budget-cuts.aspx)
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: viv on October 14, 2014, 08:58:45 pm
On top of that, Conwy Councillors also get paid handsomely  - some are worth it, others are just hangers on and don't do a lot for their money. Extra payments for being on Committees particularly if they are the Chair. Plus the expenses that they claim too. And the Cabinet members get even more with their "portfolios" which has the effect of pushing the other councillors down to "also ran" status, much to their annoyance. And are these Cabinet individuals all experts in their subjects? Like hell they are -all political appointments. And we are supposed to be a democracy. Democracy my a**e! When are they going to have their salaries cut? Nice work if you can get it!
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: SteveH on October 14, 2014, 09:16:59 pm
Would be nice to see list of individual's total payments for a year.
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Fester on October 14, 2014, 10:56:59 pm
All this talk of cutting fundamental services, and also increasing Council Tax bills.

Yet, CCBC will spend MY money on a public fireworks display.   How can this be justified?   $angry$ $angry$
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Ian on October 15, 2014, 07:53:06 am
Quote
Yet, CCBC will spend MY money on a public fireworks display.   How can this be justified?

The justification for public FW displays is and always has been the safety argument. By having large displays they hope fewer people will do their own, which is where some horrendous accidents take place.

The point you made about the six-figure salaries in CCBC is interesting. If we could get detailed figures (and why not?) then we could see where serious savings could be made. But what we really need, of course, is the same legislation that Switzerland and many US states have for voting down unpopular tax increases. Wonder if any politician would be prepared to champion such a cause?
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Yorkie on October 15, 2014, 07:55:53 am
All this talk of cutting fundamental services, and also increasing Council Tax bills.

Yet, CCBC will spend MY money on a public fireworks display.   How can this be justified?   $angry$ $angry$

The Firework Display is organised by the Town Council and funded from the Annual Precept they receive which is a few ££££'s per head of the population to run the Council, its services and for local Grants.
 ZXZ
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: dingo20 on October 15, 2014, 08:15:19 am
I agree about the tramway I always think you could run a Christmas tram and have a santas grotto at the summit. If I rang the tram I would have a conductor who could sell trinkets to a captive audience maybe ice creams in the summer
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: SteveH on October 15, 2014, 09:30:40 am
The TaxPayers' Alliance is Britain's independent grassroots campaign for lower taxes

We have collated the information for every local authority in the UK for both 2010-11 and 2011-12 so that the public can see what their locally elected representatives are paid for the role, which many have viewed historically as a voluntary position.
The councils paying the highest basic allowance to councillors (by type of authority)
Welsh Council – Seven councils pay £13,868, namely Bridgend, Carmarthenshire, Conwy, Monmouthshire, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Torfaen, and Vale of Glamorgan
Matthew Sinclair, Chief Executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said:
 “With local authorities up and down the country having to rein in spending and many public sector staff facing a pay freeze, those councillors who have awarded themselves an increase in their allowances in defiance of government advice should hang their heads in shame. They cannot retain the moral authority to make tough decisions on council spending if they believe their own allowances should be immune. Many taxpayers will be surprised at how much the amount paid varies from one council to the next. Why do Manchester councillors each need nearly £16,000 per year when their counterparts in neighbouring Trafford happily carry out their duties for barely £6,000? Local people should be able to see how much cash their councillors are taking in allowances and compare the cost with nearby councils. This kind of transparency will allow them to decide for themselves whether they are getting good value for money.”

http://www.taxpayersalliance.com/home/2012/08/taxpayers-alliance-reveals-highest-lowest-paid-councillors-uk.html (http://www.taxpayersalliance.com/home/2012/08/taxpayers-alliance-reveals-highest-lowest-paid-councillors-uk.html)

Low pay is deterring many people who are thinking of becoming a local councillor, a report by MPs has said.
The Local Government Select Committee said councillors had a right to expect an "appropriate level of compensation".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-20967913 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-20967913)
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: SteveH on October 15, 2014, 10:10:32 am
Bridgend County Borough      http://www.bridgend.gov.uk/web/groups/public/documents/democracy/016085.hcsp
Found this very informative

Councillors Remuneration 
Remuneration is paid according to the findings of the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (IRPW) which sets out the levels for councillor payments in Wales. Councillors are not paid for attending meetings but receive a salary to reimburse them for the time and expenses incurred whilst on Council business. Members can also claim travel allowance for attendance at approved duties, the current rate is 45p per mile reducing to 25p per mile after 10,000 miles. To view the full Members’ Remuneration Scheme
Basic salary payable to all Members not receiving a senior or civic salary:£13,300
Leader  £48,000
Deputy Leader   £33,500
Cabinet Members   £29,000
Chairs of Overview and Scrutiny Committees   £22,000
Chairperson of Planning and Development Committee  £22,000
Chairpersons of committees listed below:    £22,000
Appeals Panel
Audit Committee
Licensing Committee
Leader of the largest opposition group  £22,000
Civic Salaries
Civic Head (Mayor)  £21,500
Deputy Civic Head (Deputy Mayor)   £16,000
Statutory co-optees
Chairperson of Standards Committee
£256 Daily Fee
£128 ½ Day Fee
Chairperson of Audit Committee (if they are a co-optee or Lay Member)
£256 Daily Fee
£128 ½ Day Fee
Statutory co-optees with voting rights – Standards Committee, Education OVSC, Audit Committee, Crime and Disorder OVSC
£198 Daily Fee
£99 ½ Day Fee
Statutory co-optees with voting rights – ordinary members of Standards Committee who also chair Standards Committees for Community Councils
£226 Daily Fee
£113 ½ Day Fee
Members Eligible to receive care allowance
of £403 per month
Last Updated: 15/07/2014
http://www.bridgend.gov.uk/web/groups/public/documents/democracy/016085.hcsp (http://www.bridgend.gov.uk/web/groups/public/documents/democracy/016085.hcsp)
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Yorkie on October 15, 2014, 12:57:04 pm
WTF has Bridgend got to do with us?   WWW
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: SteveH on October 15, 2014, 01:22:19 pm
WTF has Bridgend got to do with us?   WWW
I do not know a lot about local politics, and as you know, I search for info....Bridgend came up, as the only council I could find with a (IRPW) based financial breakdown and "transparency", and I was surprised by the difference in the basic salary of £13,300 and the other salaries up to £48,000 plus "daily rates", bearing in mind that their might be others in a similar ignorant state, I thought I would share my info. so thats WTF I put it on here.  WWW   :)
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: SteveH on October 23, 2014, 02:42:14 pm
Llandudno’s aerial ladder has already been lost....
"There are 1,700 tall buildings in Llandudno which are on a list which stipulates an ALP should attend if fire breaks out in them."
What's next....

228 firefighter jobs at risk in north Wales budget review

More than 220 firefighters' jobs could be lost in north Wales if its funding is not increased by £3.3m over the next five years, bosses have warned.

The North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority said years of cuts mean core services may be hit in the future.
A range of options include axing 228 jobs and closing seven retained fire stations and removing engines, leaving areas without local part-time support.
The authority is funded from councils via residents' council tax payments.
However, it says its near £32m budget has changed little in the last five years although council tax payments have increased.
It says this has already led to cuts of £2.4m (£800,000 annually since 2010/11) to pay for "unavoidable cost increases"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-29739597 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-29739597)

This is one cut, we can do without....
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: SteveH on October 23, 2014, 09:52:10 pm
Conwy Council needs to find £37m savings over three years

A local authority faces having to make “eyewatering” savings of £37m in the next three years, a finance chief warned today.

But it has already found £6.8m savings towards cuts to be made for the financial year starting next April.

The Welsh Government’s provisional grant for Conwy Council for 2015-2016 has been cut by 4.3%, the joint third biggest reduction of Wales’s 22 local authorities.

Andrew Kirkham, Conwy’s finance chief, said the authority will need to make an “eyewatering” total of £37m savings by 2017-2018.

The authority expects to need to find £16m savings in 2015-2016, £12m in 2016-2017 and £9m in 2017-2018.

But in a presentation to a full Conwy Council meeting at Bodlondeb, Mr Kirkham said: “The general ‘mood music’ within Conwy is ‘keep calm and don’t panic’, although everybody acknowledges that difficult decisions will need to be made.”

The shortfall could be made up of efficiency cuts and savings, but not “slashing and burning”, he said.

“All 22 authorities face price pressures, expectations of service demands, an aging population and increasingly we are coping with the Welsh Government’s (insistence) that we protect schools,” added Mr Kirkham.
But Cllr Dave Cowans, a former finance spokesman, denied Conwy would copy Isle of Anglesey County Council’s decision to offer its entire 3,300-strong workforce voluntary redundancy to balance its books. It was “not the way forward in terms of relations”, he said.
The meeting heard Conwy still has the fourth lowest Band D council tax in Wales at £964.89 a year.

Cllr Phil Edwards, Conwy’s new social care and housing spokesman, wondered if a lower settlement grant was due to Conwy’s low council tax.
ut a Welsh Government spokesman said: “The distribution of the funding reflects the population within each authority, the number of pupils, the length of roads and the number of properties in the different council tax bands, sparsity and deprivation.”

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/conwy-council-needs-find-37m-7989552#rlabs=5 (http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/conwy-council-needs-find-37m-7989552#rlabs=5)
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: SteveH on October 25, 2014, 10:36:43 am
Should Welsh Ministers ditch their chauffeur-driven Volvos? Opposition demand scrapping the Ministerial fleet after costs soar

Opposition figures have demanded the Welsh Government scraps its fleet of ministerial cars – after it was revealed it had cost more than £400,000 since the last election.

The Welsh Conservatives said ministers should follow Welsh Secretary Stephen Crabb, who ditched the Wales Office’s Jaguar days after being appointed to replace David Jones last month.

Figures revealed in a written answer from the government revealed costs of buying, maintaining and running the fleet of 10 chauffeur-driven Volvo S80 saloons had soared by more than 50% in the past year to nearly £175,000.
But the Welsh Government said the Tories’ demands betrayed a “complete lack of understanding” about the workings of government.
It comes after Mr Crabb elected to ditch his £100,000-a-year, taxpayer-funded Jaguar limousine days after becoming Secretary of State for Wales last month.
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/should-welsh-ministers-ditch-chauffeur-driven-7665022#rlabs=5 (http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/should-welsh-ministers-ditch-chauffeur-driven-7665022#rlabs=5)
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Micox on October 26, 2014, 05:20:35 pm
I could give you the Norfolk figures but you'd only get more bored than you are.  :-* :-* :-*
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Yorkie on October 27, 2014, 07:16:17 am
We get too many figures and statistics on the Forum for my liking!   :D
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Merddin Emrys on October 27, 2014, 08:24:41 am
On average, 37.6545% too many statistics appear!   :twoface:
Title: Re: CCBC: Cuts and cutting
Post by: Ian on October 27, 2014, 08:45:55 am
 _))* _))* _))*

I knew it!  I was holding back.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting 5%increase
Post by: SteveH on November 04, 2014, 10:39:26 am
Taxpayers in Conwy face another 5% increase in council tax

The increase was suggested as Conwy council discussed its preliminary financial planning up to 2018.
Next year’s rise comes on the back of a 5% increase in April 2014. It means a Band D household will be expected to pay £1,013 a year.
The new wave of austerity was discussed at a principal overview and scrutiny meeting yesterday.

Andrew Kirkham, head of finance, said despite the increase Conwy would still be the cheapest authority in North Wales for council tax.
He said: “In order to make up for the 4.3% cut in settlement from the Welsh Government we would have to raise council tax by 14.8%.
“However our assumptions are for a 5% increase, which will be seen as 'acceptable' by the Welsh Government.”

Cllr Sam Rowlands said the authority could not continue to rely on such a large increase in council tax.
He said: “We need to get out of the trap of 5% increase year on year. How do we get out of this cycle?
“I think our residents would understand if services were increasing as well but they are not.”
He asked if Conwy could commit to lessening the council tax demand if the final settlement from Welsh Government was higher than anticipated.

Mr Kirkham said: “Until we identify non-recurring resources it would be reckless to commit ourselves to a council tax cut reduction.”
He explained Conwy Council have been using one-time only grants in the budget to help “buy time” but conceded “it is not sustainable”.

New finance portfolio holder Cllr Mike Priestley said: “It’s more than a mountain to climb but we have an excellent team here in Conwy to tackle the challenge.
“But we cannot underestimate the forthcoming challenges we will face financially.”

The authority expected a cut in the Welsh Government settlement of 1.9%.

Conwy Council will attempt to lessen the blows to services by tapping into £28.4m worth of reserves but only £2.9m of that is available.

Chief executive Iwan Davies said the council had complained about their settlement distribution but added: “Assembly members are in the best place to criticize Conwy’s settlement level if they have issues with it.”
RefDailyPost
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: norman08 on November 04, 2014, 02:11:32 pm
Quote ,, mike priestley , we have a great team here  _))* _))*, they all know how to waste Our money , north shore and they are back again ,reforming the rocks ,they will be back after Xmas , venue Cymru and the biggest waste the big skip in the bay.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on November 04, 2014, 03:26:06 pm
Quote ,, mike priestley , we have a great team here  they all know how to waste Our money , north shore and they are back again ,reforming the rocks ,they will be back after Xmas , venue Cymru and the biggest waste the big skip in the bay.
Maybe the "Team" will finally have a look at the Venue Cymru £1.700.000 wage bill........ >>>

In the above statement not one suggestion on how to save money    “We need to get out of the trap of 5% increase year on year. How do we get out of this cycle? ......start by doing your (Well paid) job... $angry$
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: DaveR on June 26, 2015, 09:25:24 am
This always makes me laugh when I see it in Rhos. Why not just give the original cast iron nameplate a coat of paint instead of replacing it with a cheap new one? Such a lack of common sense!
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Nemesis on June 26, 2015, 09:58:55 am
The nameplate on the one in Salisbury Road has dropped/been helped off in the last few weeks.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on August 03, 2015, 12:34:23 pm
An item from the D.Post

COUNCIL RESERVES: A Conwy Council committee is this morning hearing that the authority had £26.753m in cash backed reserves and balances as at March 31, 2015.

 Many authorities hold reserves for a variety of reasons
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Fester on February 12, 2016, 04:34:09 pm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35557725 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35557725)

This is just brilliant and I can't help wondering how many such people inhabit offices in councils in England or Wales?.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on March 25, 2016, 04:52:17 pm
This is how much your council tax has gone up this year compared to everyone else in Wales

Every local authority in Wales has put its council tax up this year.
The average Band D council tax bills in Wales are rising by a total of 3.5 per cent.
The highest rise is for Blaenau Gwent residents who will face an average rise of £60. The lowest is in Caerphilly where the average rise is £19.

As a percentage, the rise varies from 4.4% in Conwy - the biggest increase in the country - to just 1.5% in Caerphilly.
Residents of Monmouthshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire also face rises of more than 4% when all council and police charges are taken into account.

However, the average Band D bill does not tell the full story.
Council tax bands are based on the historic value of each property. That means that in Blaenau Gwent, where properties tend to be cheaper, most houses fall into lower bands. People in those homes do not pay the full Band D bill.
In terms of the amount people actually pay - the average bill per dwelling - Monmouthshire has the most expensive council tax in Wales for 2016/17, at £1,573.
Conwy
What’s the percentage rise? 4.4%
How much will an average Band D property pay? £1,342
How much extra will you pay this year? £56

More...  http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/how-much-your-council-tax-11095300 (http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/how-much-your-council-tax-11095300)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on March 28, 2016, 01:28:30 pm
Conwy taxpayers' £20k bill for councillor who attended just a third of meetings...because he works away as a sea captain

A Conwy councillor earned almost £20,000 of taxpayers’ cash while attending only a third of his meetings - because he works away as a sea captain.
Cllr Jobi Hold has only been to 17 of 50 Conwy council meetings in the last 18 months, and during that time has been skippering boats for a Netherlands-based company working in the oil and gas industry.
The Labour Mostyn ward member said he was able to keep up with council business via his iPad.
But he admitted that being away meant he was sometimes not able to vote on important issues affecting his constituents.
He told the Daily Post: “Considering how things work nowadays with social media and internet, I have always got my iPad with me and I’m still dealing with issues when I’m away.”
When asked what he now intended to do about the situation, he said: “At this moment in time I’m not too sure.”

Harry Davis, campaign manager at the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “Councillors are elected to make decisions on behalf of their constituents.
“For them to do this, they have to attend the meetings.
“Taxpayers have every right to feel aggrieved and will question whether they are really being represented and receiving value for money.”

Cllr Hold received £19,950 from Conwy council in the last 18 months.
Leader and cabinet positions and payments made to committee chairs cost Conwy’s taxpayers about £500,000 a year.
After an Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (IRPW) report suggested keeping allowances at the same rate for 2016/17, the Daily Post approached the council to ask whether members had considered reducing their payments voluntarily.

A council spokeswoman said: “Members were given the opportunity to comment on the IRPW’s draft report for 2016/17.
“The Democratic Services Committee reviewed the draft report and formulated a response on behalf of the council.
“But it’s worth noting that individual councillors can decide to forego part or all of their salary if they want.”

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/conwy-taxpayers-20k-bill-councillor-11102496 (http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/conwy-taxpayers-20k-bill-councillor-11102496)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Fester on March 28, 2016, 01:45:50 pm
Council members and politicians are broadly all as bad, (these days),  but this gravy train will rumble on because we let it continue.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Hugo on March 28, 2016, 02:09:12 pm
Council members and politicians are broadly all as bad, (these days),  but this gravy train will rumble on because we let it continue.

It's not that long ago since  the  Conservative Councillor Steve Wolfe was in the news, he moved to London and was reported to have kept claiming his allowance even though he never attended a meeting for over 6 months. It was also reported that he never returned his Council owned lap-top computer, perhaps only a few hundred pounds but, after all, our few hundred pounds.
Steve Wolfe was well reported in the local papers for his absence with fellow Councillors demanding his resignation and return of lap-top.
That's saying something when his fellow Councillors wanted his resignation!

Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Fester on March 28, 2016, 02:21:00 pm
I saw this comment on Facebook,

He is only getting away with what Conwy County Council are allowing him to do so, prehaps this is why we will have to have our bins emptied every three weeks, because the councilors would never vote to cut there salaries only the services they should provide.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on April 03, 2016, 12:12:42 pm
"Conwy taxpayers' £20k bill for councillor who attended just a third of meetings...because he works away as a sea captain"     The above post from the 28th march was bad enough, but todays reply from The leader of Conwy council ’s Labour group is farcical......... make you laugh?....Cry?.......probably both.   &shake&

Conwy sea skipper councillor's attendance defended by Labour leader

The leader of Conwy council ’s Labour group has defended a councillor who has only turned up to a third of meetings because he works away as a sea captain.
Councillor Chris Hughes said “the majority of decisions take place away from the chamber” in response to questions about Cllr Jobi Hold’s 34% attendance record.

The Mostyn ward representative on the council works away for six weeks at a time as a skipper for a Dutch merchant company but still picked up £20,000 in taxpayer cash in that time .

Cllr Hughes said he saw no conflict between Cllr Hold’s inability to make meetings and his ability to serve constituents.

He said: “He’s being working away but he’s still been doing a fair number of meetings. He is still actively doing his job.
“He has had this opportunity to work away for this period of time and he has taken this for the benefit of his family.
“It’s the cabinet which makes almost all the decisions.
“If you look at councillors attendance, I know it’s part of the job, but from my perspective the vast majority of decisions take place away from the chamber.”
Cllr Hughes said he accepted Cllr Hold’s attendance might not look good to the general public but insists performance and results matter more.
“There are issues around perception,” he continued.

“What I would say is that the job is significantly more than being in meetings.
“At the moment I see that Jobi is doing a fair amount of work.

“No one has expressed the view that he is not performing a service.”
Despite his defence of Cllr Hold, the Labour group leader did admit there was some disquiet over the affair.
He said: “I wouldn’t say we are happy, I would say that as far as we are aware he is acting on behalf of constitutents when they contact him.
“It can be as simple as picking up a phone.
“None of us ever know how active he is. All we know is what we actually see.

“I do know that Jobi is undertaking work for his constituents at this time.
“To what extent he is active in terms of the number of people who are contacting him, I don’t know as much about that.
“He does read agendas and he does contact his cabinet members about concerns from his constituents.
“It is certainly something we will keep abreast of as a group.”

Cllr Hughes said the acid test for any councillor is what they achieve for their constituents and reiterated this was not a concern for him regarding Cllr Hold.

“As a party we will always want to to see people out there are being represented,” he said.
“If I was seeing people weren’t being represented we would be taking that up.
“But from what I see and what I hear, he is doing what he is being asked to do by his constituents.”

When questioned about his attendance, Cllr Hold told the Daily Post that he kept on top of council business on his iPad while working away but said he might not always be able to be at meetings where issues affecting his constituents were being discussed and decided.
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/conwy-sea-skipper-councillors-attendance-11130215 (http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/conwy-sea-skipper-councillors-attendance-11130215)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on May 18, 2016, 04:49:52 pm
Salaries for Conwy cabinet members reduced after full council vote
 
THE decision to reduce the salary of a council's cabinet members by nearly £3,000 was the right thing to do, a former cabinet member has said.

At a full council meeting on Thursday, May 12 councillors supported recommendations by the democratic services committee to reduce Conwy County Council cabinet members’ salaries from £29,000 to £26,100 following a report by the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales.

Cllr Phil Edwards, who until January this year served as cabinet member for housing, social care and health, said: "We're in austere times.

"We're expecting more cuts to our budgets down the line and whilst that is continuing I agree that this is the time to show some leadership, and that it is the right and proper thing to do."

Cllr Chris Hughes, cabinet member for communities, said: "Members looked at it and decided what the level should be and it is what it is: it's democracy, that's how the systemis set up."

The supported recommendations, which came into effect immediately, also included the reduction in salary of committee chairs from £22,000 to £20,000 and that civic salaries remain unchanged at £21,500 for the chair of council and £16,000 for the vice-chair of council.    REF Pioneer
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on May 23, 2016, 06:21:06 pm
A Conwy councillor who couldn’t attend meetings because he was working away as a sea captain as resigned his seat.
Jobi Hold tendered his resignation with “immediate effect” on Tuesday May 17 from both Conwy County and Llandudno Town councils.

Mr Hold, who attended just 17 of 50 council meetings over an 18-month period while earning almost £20,000 of taxpayers cash, has moved with his family to Launceston, Cornwall.

The former councillor skippers boats for a Netherlands-based company working in the oil and gas industry and it is believed the move south had been planned for some time.

A spokeswoman for Conwy County Council confirmed: “Councillor Hold tendered his resignation on May 17 with immediate effect.”
He was a representative for Mostyn ward on both town and county councils on behalf of the Labour Party.
Mr Hold said he was able to keep up with council business via his iPad, although admitted being away meant he was sometimes unable to vote on important issues affecting his constituents.

He told the Daily Post: “Considering how things work nowadays with social media and internet, I have always got my iPad with me and I’m still dealing with issues when I’m away.”
Harry Davis, campaign manager at the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “Councillors are elected to make decisions on behalf of their constituents.
“For them to do this, they have to attend the meetings.
“Taxpayers have every right to feel aggrieved and will question whether they are really being represented and receiving value for money.”

Despite initially saying he was “not too sure” what he intended to do when news broke of the poor attendance, Mr Hold ultimately decided to relinquish his seats.
A by-election for the vacant county council seat will be held within 35 days as long as the returning officer receives such a request from two registered voters.
The vacant town council seat will be contested if 10 registered voters contact the democratic services officer at Conwy County Council by June 2.
REF DP

Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on June 16, 2016, 11:51:20 am
Welsh councils are owed £86m in council tax with the total owed rising by nearly £1m in a year to its highest ever level.
As council tax bills grow, councils are collecting more money but the value of arrears is also bigger.

In 2015-16, billing authorities collected 97.2% of council tax billed, an increase of 0.1 percentage points compared to 2014-15. This is the highest collection rate since the introduction of council tax.

The total amount outstanding at March 31, 2016 was £85.91m, of which £37m was in-year arrears, up £1m from 2014-15. The arrears outstanding at the end of the 2015-16 financial year are the highest since 1996-97.

Conwy: £3,501,000  outstanding.......?

MORE.... http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/how-much-every-welsh-authority-11476627 (http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/how-much-every-welsh-authority-11476627)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on June 28, 2016, 11:41:36 am
 :-}}} Conwy Council accidentally publish minutes of super school meeting BEFORE it takes place.

Blundering council workers have come under fire - for publishing draft minutes of a decision BEFORE the meeting to discuss it has actually taken place.

Conwy Council ’s cabinet is set to debate plans for a new super-school in Llandudno Junction during a special meeting today.

Education chiefs want to close the town’s Ysgol Maelgwn and Ysgol Nant y Coed and build a new school called Ysgol Awel Y Mynydd in their stead on land known as the Esgyryn site.

Council chiefs are due to discuss a number of topics relating to the move, including whether or not to start the formal process of amalgamating the two schools, during today’s meeting.

But draft minutes published on the council’s website appear to show that the decision has already been made.
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/oops-conwy-council-accidentally-publish-11535001 (http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/oops-conwy-council-accidentally-publish-11535001)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: DaveR on June 28, 2016, 12:45:52 pm
Decisions taken by CCBC before a Meeting takes place? Surely not!!  :laugh:  &shake&
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Ian on June 28, 2016, 02:00:26 pm
Perish the thought   _))* _))* _))* _))*
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Fester on June 28, 2016, 02:02:28 pm
Doesn't that, along with the Brexit back-pedalling, just some up politicians at every level.   &shake& &shake&
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Ian on June 28, 2016, 02:08:55 pm
Just had a thought: if we could find a judge who would regard promises made by politicians the same as goods purchased, we could do them under the Consumer Rights Act 2015...
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Merddin Emrys on June 28, 2016, 03:09:46 pm
I often wonder how are us ordinary citizens meant to know who to believe about politics! So much information told to us, we have not been trained in the subject so who to believe?  ?{}?
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: wrex on June 28, 2016, 03:16:48 pm
We have no rights now
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Ian on June 28, 2016, 03:32:00 pm
Actually, I'm not really surprised. Generally, the outcomes of most meetings are fixed in advance - usually through a word here, a nod there and promises made to those involved, so that the meeting is usually only a rubber stamping exercise. This is politics, although the politicians like to describe the process as 'briefings'. The only mistake they've made this time is to get caught.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: alw on June 28, 2016, 06:56:20 pm
Hey, be fair !

They have actually made a decision.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on January 16, 2017, 01:52:23 pm
North Wales councils have spent almost £500,000 on “town hall propaganda” since 2013.
The biggest spenders in North Wales were Conwy (£93,690) Denbighshire (£91,200) and Gwynedd councils (£83,864
Substantial sums are being spent by many Welsh councils on town hall propaganda, and taxpayers will rightly question why their hard earned cash is being spent on junk mail at a time when many frontline services are being cut.

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/town-hall-propaganda-bill-05m-12461069 (http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/town-hall-propaganda-bill-05m-12461069)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Meleri on January 23, 2017, 05:25:28 pm
It appears Councillor Dilwyn Roberts leader of Conwy County Borough Council conveniently forgot to pay his Council Tax, which has been revealed by information obtained by The Freedom of Information Act.  &shake&

Aberconwy Assembly Member Janet Finch Saunders has called for Cllr Roberts to consider his position and said "As leader of Conwy County Borough Council and someone who earns over double the average income for the area, it beggars belief that it took a court summons to make him cough up his legal dues".

Perhaps it's time for him to take retirement and give someone else a chance to clean up CCBC's act considering all that has gone on recently. It's about time they broke ranks from the Old Boy's Club and there are some very promising Female Councillors who would fit the bill.  ;)

Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on January 23, 2017, 06:37:04 pm
This is a farce, he should stand down, yes we all make mistakes, but this should have been a priority,  someone in his position should have arranged a direct debit.

Just read the DP story.... http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/?pageNumber=5 (http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/?pageNumber=5)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Bosun on January 23, 2017, 10:34:39 pm
For once I am full agreement with Janet Finch Saunders; of course Dilwyn Roberts should resign. However, unfortunately it's an actual fact of life, not an alternative fact, that people like Councillor Roberts have a huge belief of their own self importance and that what is decently required of other people is not required of them. He won't resign.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: DaveR on January 24, 2017, 09:20:09 am
It appears Councillor Dilwyn Roberts leader of Conwy County Borough Council conveniently forgot to pay his Council Tax, which has been revealed by information obtained by The Freedom of Information Act.

Aberconwy Assembly Member Janet Finch Saunders has called for Cllr Roberts to consider his position and said "As leader of Conwy County Borough Council and someone who earns over double the average income for the area, it beggars belief that it took a court summons to make him cough up his legal dues".
One rule for them...another rule for us...  &shake&
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Merddin Emrys on January 24, 2017, 10:55:29 am
You would expect him to be highly embarrassed by receiving the initial reminder that he had not paid! How could he possibly wait to such a late stage of nonpayment? Makes me wonder what else he may have overlooked in his job?  &shake&
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Bosun on January 24, 2017, 11:02:10 am

[/quote]
One rule for them...another rule for us...  &shake&
[/quote]

It's a mute point, but, the 'rules' are the same, that's why Roberts has recieved a court summons. There are no rules in respect of acting decently, and in this case, any self-respecting honourable person would have resigned their post immediately, and if they wished to, as is their right, stand for re-election at the next election. However, this breed of person does not accept the requirement for doing the decent thing and acting honourably as his position demands, he believes himself to be above that requirement. Whilst there are good councillors, (such as Sue Shotter who works tirelessly for her ward) the position appears to attract dreadful bumptious characters full of self-importance and a massive belief in both their own self importance and their opinion of what's right. Once elected, their main priority is their own self advancement.

CCBC is not alone in this, it's a general phenomenon that puts many decent people from becoming involved because even if elected, you cannot fight the established, virtually resident, sitting morons.   

Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on January 24, 2017, 11:16:06 am
Sorry the link I posted yesterday was wrong, .....
New link    http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/conwy-council-tax-dilwyn-roberts-12493676 (http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/conwy-council-tax-dilwyn-roberts-12493676)

16 comments now, most of them negative
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Bosun on January 30, 2017, 03:28:47 pm
I  astonished to hear that 'From Our Own Correspondent' on Radio 4 this week had a report, from of all places, Conwy, about the council pushing the general waste collections back. Dave Cowans was quoted, as was the recycling supervisor, as well as a couple of complaining residents. The upshot of it all was that 75% of the general waste of those complaining could have been recycled in the weekly collections.

It was an interesting piece. How it fits in with reports from far flung parts of the globe, which is the reason for the programme, I've no idea.... except - perhaps to the BBC in London, Conwy is a far flung part of the globe.   
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on February 05, 2017, 12:11:15 pm
It appears Councillor Dilwyn Roberts leader of Conwy County Borough Council conveniently forgot to pay his Council Tax, which has been revealed by information obtained by The Freedom of Information Act. 
Not such an isolated occurrence.......

Hundreds of council tax arrears notices sent to councillors.
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-38846595 (http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-38846595)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on February 16, 2017, 10:34:41 am
Sorry not sure which thread to put this article.........any suggestions?

The big five 'game changers' that could transform the economy of Conwy.
Major indoor attraction, winter festival and university campus among ideas on the table.
A major indoor tourism attraction, giant winter show, business units and a university campus are all parts of a 10 year strategy to transform the economy of Conwy county.

Conwy council has published an Economic Growth Strategy to lay out the plans for boosting jobs and wages over the next decade.

This includes five key economic ambitions which range from increasing winter visitor numbers to targeting city firms to relocate head offices to the county.
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/big-five-game-changers-could-12605191 (http://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/big-five-game-changers-could-12605191)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: DaveR on February 16, 2017, 11:45:39 am
Can I just say how much I despise the Daily Post website these days? It's practically impossible to read an article, with all the videos, adverts, surveys on the page.  &shake&
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Bosun on February 16, 2017, 12:20:11 pm
Can I just say how much I despise the Daily Post website these days? It's practically impossible to read an article, with all the videos, adverts, surveys on the page.  &shake&

Totally agree, at first I thought that it was my computer playing up. The Daily Post website is a complete buggers-muddle; I now ignore it.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on February 16, 2017, 12:35:36 pm
Can I just say how much I despise the Daily Post website these days? It's practically impossible to read an article, with all the videos, adverts, surveys on the page.  &shake&
Totally agree, at first I thought that it was my computer playing up. The Daily Post website is a complete buggers-muddle; I now ignore it.

Can be a pain, but I still find it good for daily news and info, I clicked on the above link again and only got one advert and one video?
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Tom Davidson on February 20, 2017, 09:11:05 am
Sorry to hear you're not happy with the site - the websites are the same across Trinity Mirror - Liverpool Echo, Wales Online all have the same format.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on February 24, 2017, 06:11:17 pm
Council tax across North Wales to rise AGAIN next year

Residents of Conwy are facing the biggest increase as all local authorities plan to put up the rate.
Residents of Conwy could face a 4.6% hike in their bills from April.
The increase would see Band D households pay an extra £48.93 on top of the £1,063.76 they already pay.
Cllr Goronwy Edwards, cabinet member for finance and resources, said the council’s budgetary response to “challenging financial constraints” was fair.

It’s also reasonable and appropriate given the service pressures that we face and the grant afforded to Conwy by Welsh Government,” added Cllr Edwards.
The recommendations of the 2017/18 budget report will be discussed during a full council meeting on March 2.
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/council-tax-across-north-wales-12654713 (http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/council-tax-across-north-wales-12654713)
Title: Re: CCBC ..... New Leader
Post by: SteveH on May 18, 2017, 12:22:55 pm
Gareth Jones elected!

In a very narrow vote, Gareth Jones of Plaid Cymru has been elected as the leader of Conwy Council.

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/live-conwy-council-decide-leader-13052814 (http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/live-conwy-council-decide-leader-13052814)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: bigbadhenry on May 19, 2017, 10:56:43 am
I was surprised to to hear he was 78 years old. Don't think I'd want or be up to the job if I reach 78 years >>>
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Meleri on May 19, 2017, 02:06:44 pm
I thought the very same thing bigbadhenry. Granted Gareth Jones has a wealth of experience, but the time comes to call it a day and give the younger generation a chance to gain that same experience, on the other hand who wouldn't find £48,000 a year tempting.
Lets hope the cabinet will be comprised of the most competent people for each cabinet post irrespective of gender and put an end to the old boys club that is CCBC
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on November 01, 2017, 04:22:48 pm
This is interesting, .... worth a read.

Every event that could face funding cuts when councillors meet next week
As councils struggle with budgets several major sporting and cultural occasions that take place in North Wales could be hit.
A North Wales local authority is to decide whether 25 major events should continue to get financial backing for the next five years.
Conwy Council is planning to spend more than £500,000 on cultural and sporting occasions that are scheduled to take place within the county.

It is argued that the events - aimed at drawing in visitors, benefiting locals and media exposure - have brought in an estimated £20m to the local economy.
However cutbacks in Welsh Government funding mean Conwy will lose one per cent of its annual budget on last year to £152,405,000.
List ......
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/whats-on/conwy-events-tourism-budget-cuts-13843007 (http://www.dailypost.co.uk/whats-on/conwy-events-tourism-budget-cuts-13843007)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: born2run on November 01, 2017, 04:42:35 pm
An unspecified BBC event, a one off payment costing £63,000 for September 2018.

Better be good for that amount of money - anyone have any ideas?

Also that list isn't comprehensive - I know of at least one council funded event not listed on there.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: alw on November 01, 2017, 06:12:39 pm
Last night of the Proms is on Saturday, 8th September, 2018, so that outside broadcast could be returning
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: born2run on November 02, 2017, 08:54:23 am
Brilliant  $good$

That is one of the best things they have ever put on in the area.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: alw on November 02, 2017, 02:12:11 pm
The Corporate Research and Information Unit assess the economic benefits within the County of supported events.

Their latest assessment was for the Little Mix and Bryan Adams concerts in July 2017, I have put a PDF copy on line and you can download it from here.......  http://www.yourfilelink.com/get.php?fid=1430191 (http://www.yourfilelink.com/get.php?fid=1430191)

The document is already in the public domain.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on November 08, 2017, 10:27:36 am
Conwy council to keep funding showcase events...and wants more world class spectacles

The local authority will work with the Welsh Government to bring more events to the county

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/conwy-council-keep-funding-showcase-13871914 (http://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/conwy-council-keep-funding-showcase-13871914)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: born2run on November 08, 2017, 11:13:49 am
I see some numpties are complaining about this in the comments section  $angry$

Llandudno really does take the biscuit for moaning old goats - If you dropped a hundred grand through everyone's door some of them would moan their doormat got dirty!  &shake&
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Bosun on November 08, 2017, 12:04:06 pm
If you dropped a hundred grand through everyone's door some of them would moan their doormat got dirty!  &shake&

Try it through mine, and I'll let you know......
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: DaveR on November 09, 2017, 09:10:56 am
I see some numpties are complaining about this in the comments section  $angry$

Llandudno really does take the biscuit for moaning old goats - If you dropped a hundred grand through everyone's door some of them would moan their doormat got dirty!  &shake&
I read the comments and can't see any mention of Llandudno? A lot of these events take place in Conwy and Colwyn Bay, not just Llandudno. You really are  a moaning middle aged goat, b2r...  :laugh:
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Ian on January 08, 2018, 02:49:36 pm
New topic is it then.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: born2run on January 08, 2018, 02:59:53 pm
Good title  $good$
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Bri Roberts on February 12, 2018, 12:37:01 pm
When CCBC are due to increase our Council Tax, they appear to be making a generous and confidential offer to support a business trading at Porth Eirias.

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/porth-eirias-watersports-firm-rent-14277671?utm_source=daily_post_newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_content=EM_DailyPost_Nletter_News_smallteaser_Text_Story4&utm_campaign=daily_newsletter&ptnr_rid=45923&icid=EM_DailyPost_Nletter (https://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/porth-eirias-watersports-firm-rent-14277671?utm_source=daily_post_newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_content=EM_DailyPost_Nletter_News_smallteaser_Text_Story4&utm_campaign=daily_newsletter&ptnr_rid=45923&icid=EM_DailyPost_Nletter)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on February 12, 2018, 01:21:43 pm
The  * confidential * part makes me think, what are they hiding .      &shake&
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on March 02, 2018, 10:29:01 am
Both Conwy and Anglesey have approved above-inflation increases in council tax from April.

Conwy council is going ahead with a 5% increase while for people on Anglesey it will be a 4.8% rise.

The two councils will still have to find spending savings - £6m for Conwy and £2.5m for Anglesey.

The increase will mean around an extra £50 a year for the average Band D property on Anglesey.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-43235480 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-43235480)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on March 08, 2018, 10:45:30 am
People in Conwy are facing mounting challenges in finding a home as pressures on the housing market continue to increase.

On Wednesday (28/02/18), as Conwy County Borough Council looks to finalise its Housing Strategy for 2018-2023, councillors will look at the importance of someone’s home in determining their potential in life, in terms of their health, education, employment, and participation in the community.

https://businessnewswales.com/housing-conwy-pressure/
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on September 17, 2018, 11:42:06 am
Conwy council's new headquarters will cost taxpayers almost £1.5m a year in rent for the next 40 years, it has been revealed.

The building at Colwyn Bay, where 700 staff will be employed, cost £38.5 million to build.
But taxpayers will have to foot a £58m rent bill, which will be linked to the retail price index.

Any repair bill must be met by the tenant rather than the landlord and there is no break clause in the lease.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-45541757 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-45541757)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on October 10, 2018, 11:27:56 am
All councils in Wales are facing real terms cuts to their funding from the Welsh Government next year.

The Isle of Anglesey, Conwy, Flintshire, Powys, Monmouthshire and Gwynedd are the worst hit.
Six south Wales councils can expect more cash, but the increases are below the inflation rate of 2.7%.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-45789564 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-45789564)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on December 06, 2018, 09:04:48 am
Conwy taxpayers face staggering £142m bill for council's new HQ
Authority could end up paying up to £7m a year in rent by the time the building is nearly 40 years old.
https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/conwy-taxpayers-face-142m-bill-15509310 (https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/conwy-taxpayers-face-142m-bill-15509310)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: alw on December 09, 2018, 09:02:44 pm
The daily Post has photos of copper cladding damaged by last night's winds.

You can see why the developer insisted on a repairing lease, if 40pmh wind can do that to a new building.

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/photos-show-part-conwy-councils-15528213 (https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/photos-show-part-conwy-councils-15528213)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Hugo on December 11, 2018, 06:29:12 pm
There was a machine like a giant cherry picker with two men on it repairing the roof and that won't come cheap.  I just hope that after a few weeks the CCBC doesn't have to pick up the bill for that
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on January 15, 2019, 12:32:13 pm
Conwy councillors undecided on tax increase.

Councillors have failed to make a recommendation on how much Conwy’s council tax should be raised by.

Members of the county’s finance committee were asked to look at options for balancing the cash strapped council’s books when they met recently.
However members could not agree when faced with an increase of 11.6 per cent which was the figure discussed in the past or having a smaller increase of 9.6 per cent.

The council’s finance director, Andrew Kirkham, told councillors they had a thankless task as the authority struggles with a £15,270,000 resource shortfall.

Mr Kirkham said: “You have got a thankless task as members to please everybody because you’ve got the same cash resources from the Welsh Government in 19/20 as you had in 18/19 but a shed load of additional pressures to deal with and there are only two ways you can deal with it.   
Cont.   https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/17358268.conwy-councillors-undecided-on-tax-increase/?ref=mr&lp=2 (https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/17358268.conwy-councillors-undecided-on-tax-increase/?ref=mr&lp=2)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: OrmeMac on January 15, 2019, 03:21:49 pm
Conwy councillors undecided on tax increase.

Councillors have failed to make a recommendation on how much Conwy’s council tax should be raised by.

Members of the county’s finance committee were asked to look at options for balancing the cash strapped council’s books when they met recently.
However members could not agree when faced with an increase of 11.6 per cent which was the figure discussed in the past or having a smaller increase of 9.6 per cent.

The council’s finance director, Andrew Kirkham, told councillors they had a thankless task as the authority struggles with a £15,270,000 resource shortfall.

Mr Kirkham said: “You have got a thankless task as members to please everybody because you’ve got the same cash resources from the Welsh Government in 19/20 as you had in 18/19 but a shed load of additional pressures to deal with and there are only two ways you can deal with it.   
Cont.   https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/17358268.conwy-councillors-undecided-on-tax-increase/?ref=mr&lp=2 (https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/17358268.conwy-councillors-undecided-on-tax-increase/?ref=mr&lp=2)

How sad. There they all sit in the comfort of their plush new building and yet they can't decide how much extra to charge everyone else to help pay for it and their other vanity projects. No doubt they will instead offer to cut their salaries and expenses.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Ian on January 15, 2019, 05:01:01 pm
If they're deadlocked, and everyone seems happy for referendums to be held, why don't they simply ask the voters to decide?  They could do it online, so almost no costs involved and they could ask voters to vote on three questions:

1.  Increase Council tax by 11.6% or  9%?
2.  Cut all unnecessary services ('unnecessary' to be  defined by a panel of voters).
3.  Resign en masse as a point of principle and return all expenses paid to the council.


Could be interesting...
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Fester on January 16, 2019, 11:50:46 pm
Every year an unacceptable rate of tax increase.
Every year an unacceptable reduction in service quality and provision.
I would advocate a strong show of public disobedience.  Don’t pay, I’m up for it.
It will certainly focus their minds, and they can’t lock ALL of us up!
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Ian on January 17, 2019, 09:20:21 am
Weeell....

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-46878107 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-46878107)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: spotty dog on January 17, 2019, 10:23:07 am
More people were being jailed in Wales despite a lower crime rate than in England every year between 2013 and 2017.
It makes you wonder whether Wales has got it right ie lower crime rate ,it all depends on how you interpret statistics
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Hugo on January 17, 2019, 12:12:38 pm
I suppose their statistics for arriving at their statement includes many prisoners in Wrexham who have come from over the border..    It's a bit like the drink drive stats for Llandudno which included most of Conwy County and beyond.
In other words statistics are pointless unless they are done properly
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Meleri on January 22, 2019, 06:03:22 pm
CCBC Cabinet meeting today discussed the Council Tax increase for 2019/2020. They recommended an increase of 9.6% not the 11.6% that had been proposed. This is only a recommendation, it will now have to go back to Scrutiny & then Full Council next month to be passed. 1% reduction in net Council Tax income equals approximately £500K, so the 2% (£1million) difference will be taken from the Capital Reserve set aside for the Future Schools Programme which is expected to start 2022, so would have been just sitting there for 3 years.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on January 29, 2019, 05:57:56 pm
Conwy county residents could be forced to pay for the collection of their domestic garden waste.

Just months after Conwy County Borough Council (CCBC) introduced four-weekly waste collection councillors are now set to vote on a paid garden waste pick up.
Councillors voted to consider the paid collection as part of a forward work programme last month and an item with the full details will be presented to a full committee meeting on March 20 and then cabinet on April 9.

A CCBC spokesperson said: "Councillors will be considering the issue of whether to introduce a chargeable domestic garden waste collection service for Conwy County.
"All the options will be explored in a report which is scheduled to go through the Council’s democratic process for discussion before any decisions are made."

If the paid garden collection scheme is voted in, it will also add to the charges for dumping certain items at CCBC tips.
However, CCBC wouldn't be the first county to charge for garden waste collections.

Denbighshire County Council already charge for garden waste collection, with residents paying between £22 and £36 a year, depending on how many 140L green bins or dumpy sack bags they have, if they sign up for the service.  ref Pioneer
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: DaveR on January 30, 2019, 10:08:52 am
Don’t we already pay for collection, via the Council Tax?
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Meleri on January 30, 2019, 01:23:39 pm
CCBC are looking all the time to cut costs as there has been yet another cut in funding they receive from Cardiff. When Denbighshire CC started charging for garden waste it was only a matter of time before Conwy followed. My daughter has been paying £50 annually in Berkshire for green waste collection, which is one green bin per fortnight. I can see a lot more fly tipping in Conwy County & people lighting bonfires polluting the air.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Ian on January 30, 2019, 01:46:49 pm
Of course the Cardiff funding is determined by Westminster. 
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: DVT on January 30, 2019, 09:59:26 pm
Someone told me that the split in fines is 30% CCBC and 70% Kingdom.
So if £200K is 30% then the total fines would be £666,666.
Surely, if the total fines remained at that level then CCBS should be able to employ a few people to do the work and still make £200k "profit".

Or, is that too simple?
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Ian on January 31, 2019, 08:42:08 am
I suspect the Kingston Security saga is analogous to Brexit;  everyone moans about the bad points, but when it's gone everyone notices what it was really doing.

CCBC employed Kingston specifically because they didn't want to get the flak from fining dog owners. Councils are far more vulnerable to allegations of poor behaviour than are private companies, as we all know. With Kingston CCBC were able to shrug off complaints by claiming it wasn't anything to do with them. Now, if they have to do things themselves, they'll be in the firing line. That can affect their re-election prospects and consequently their pockets.

But here's a thought; it doesn't need a security firm to do the job. It can be done by local people with little cameras.  It'd be mighty cost-effective (cheap) to issue tiny cameras (like GoPros) to Neighbourhood Watch groups who could then patrol the streets and film offenders. After all, allowing dogs to foul without clearing up is not simply an offence; it's dangerous and extremely anti-social.

The Watch groups could then share in the income generated by the fines, the streets would be cleaner and no brutish Kingston Security types would be around. 
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on February 02, 2019, 01:40:27 pm
THE use of notices aimed at combating sickness absence levels among Conwy staff has shot up by 48 per cent on last year.

But the county council says the increase in Sickness Improvement Notices is a good thing as it has seen an improvement in attendance.

The council had had one of the worst rates for staff absence in Wales but that has improved over the last year, a report to members of the council’s finance committee said.

Cont..     https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/17404642.use-of-notices-to-combat-staff-sickness-absences-increase-by-48-per-cent/?ref=mr&lp=3 (https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/17404642.use-of-notices-to-combat-staff-sickness-absences-increase-by-48-per-cent/?ref=mr&lp=3)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Fester on February 02, 2019, 05:08:23 pm
If the average number of sick days per CCBC employee is 11.67 annually.... and the average in the private sector is 4.3 days, why is the CCBC target being set at 10 days per year?

If that reduction would save £500k, then why not try for what should be logically achievable, and save £2.5 ?
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Hugo on February 02, 2019, 05:20:12 pm
The problem with local government and national government is that there is a system in place that allows the employees to self certify their sickness absence for up to 7 days and as a consequence this system is open to abuse and a small minority of individuals will take advantage of it
In the private sector, I presume that most employees would be subject to the SSP  system and for the self employed it would mean no work no pay.
It doesn't need the introduction of a sickness guru to sort the problem out, that should have been done by good managers, but therein lies the problem with the CCBC
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: cygnusx-1 on February 02, 2019, 06:55:48 pm
The self certification for 7 days has been in place for SSP and the self employed like those in the public sector since the 1980s to stop a large queue at the Doctors for a runny nose! The self employed have always been able to claim SIckness Benefit by paying the self employed stamp........usually at the 2 week  shut down at Christmas in the construction industry!!!
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Hugo on February 02, 2019, 09:06:38 pm
That's news to me because SSP is not paid for the first 3 days you're off, unless you've been paid SSP within the last 8 weeks and are eligible for it again.
I think that you'll find that the employees in the building industry take paid annual leave over the Christmas period and I doubt that the self employed are entitled to sickness benefits unless of course they are genuinely sick over that period
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Ian on February 03, 2019, 08:52:20 am
It's not clear: "You can get £92.05 per week Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) if you’re too ill to work. It’s paid by your employer for up to 28 weeks.

You need to qualify for SSP and have been off work sick for 4 or more days in a row (including non-working days)."

The difference is that CCBC will be signed up to the LGA sick pay scheme as follows:

[smg id=4103]

in addition to which some will have their own professional association negotiated sick pay scheme which will pay full pay for six months, then half pay for the following six months.

There are, however, swings and roundabouts in all this. Private industry practice varies significantly over time.  Before 2000, for instance, private industry was offering exceptionally good pension schemes, often non-contributory and paying 2/3rds of annual salary.   Many of those schemes have now gone, and those left have become contributory.  Since 2008 pay and pensions in private industry have become far inferior on average to those offered by local and national government.

I do remember around the year 2000 civil servants enjoyed the best terms of service, with a non-contributory pension scheme and very generous sick pay.  How or if that's changed I don't know.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Hugo on February 03, 2019, 12:17:04 pm
Most local government and national government employees are hard working and conscientious, so the statistics for sickness in the CCBC must be attributed to a minority of individuals who are taking advantage of the system that they have in place.
The system was introduced to the workplace to protect the genuine sick people and it was never meant to be abused by the shirkers and skivers.     If the employees can work out the genuine cases from the skivers so why can't the bosses do that and do something to get rid of the skivers?

With regards to the self employed who pay a Class 2 NIC  and even a class 4 NIC  they cannot get Statutory Sick Pay as they are working for themselves and therefore do not have an employer.  If they are temporarily unable to work due to illness, they should check if they qualify for Employment and Support Allowance.   So I'll repeat myself and say that for the self employed over the Christmas period no work means no pay unless they are genuinely sick.

I know in  2006 civil servants enjoyed the best terms of service over their last 3 years of service and did have a very generous sick pay 
arrangement,  but as for a "non-contributory pension scheme" then that is debatable as many people believed that their pay was deliberately suppressed to take into account that pension.    I believe that this system has since changed but I do not know the present conditions.      .


   
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SDQ on February 03, 2019, 05:38:53 pm
If the average number of sick days per CCBC employee is 11.67 annually.... and the average in the private sector is 4.3 days, why is the CCBC target being set at 10 days per year?

If that reduction would save £500k, then why not try for what should be logically achievable, and save £2.5 ?


The reason the private sector is lower is because they return to work at the earliest convenience, regardless if they have fully recovered, because they can’t afford to lose too much money. With a proper sick pay scheme the employee can afford to take the extra day(s) and return to work fully recovered. I see people quick to assume there are many abusers of this system, I agree there are always a couple, but nobody has mentioned the figures being affected by long term sick employees who are unfortunate to have suffered heart attecks or contracted cancer etc..
The larger the employer the more chance they could have a number of long term sick employees which could greatly distort the figures quoted.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Hugo on February 03, 2019, 10:58:58 pm
To be fair I don't think anyone has suggested that there are many abusers of the system.   Yes, in any organisation you will get a very small minority of skivers who will abuse the sick leave system but most employees are conscientious and don't take advantage of the system
The system is in place to protect those people who unfortunately are on long term sick through no fault of their own and the managers should take this into consideration.    It's just a shame that a very small minority of skivers spoil it for others

However these organisations are facing severe government cutbacks and any absence will increase the pressure put on those employees who are still working and increases the stress levels on those people.    Sickness isn't just confined to a physical illness,  continued increases in stress levels can have a detrimental affect on the health of those people who have to cover for their colleagues
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on February 04, 2019, 05:17:08 pm
Conwy councillors say no to reducing 11.6 per cent tax increase.

Cash-strapped Conwy council is facing a budget shortfall of £15.2 million and has had to cut services, including becoming the first council in Wales to bring in monthly bin collections.

Conwy took another hit with the announcement last month that it could expect a cut of 0.3 per cent in the money it gets from the Welsh Government.
In order to balance the books, the council had planned to put up council tax by 11.6 per cent.

But councillor Sam Rowlands, cabinet member for finance, had come up with a plan to use money for new schools to cut that rise by two per cent, which would have left residents facing a hike of 9.6 per cent.

Today, members of the council’s finance committee voted against that plan.

Cont.....  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/17408088.conwy-councillors-say-no-to-reducing-116-per-cent-tax-increase/ (https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/17408088.conwy-councillors-say-no-to-reducing-116-per-cent-tax-increase/)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Fester on February 05, 2019, 03:46:01 pm
Apparently the higher tax rise, of 11.9% has been voted in.

The higher they push the rise, the less people will pay, and the less they will receive in total taxation.  I think they have pushed people too far with their greed this time, and they have underestimated the extent of the backlash.
Watch this space.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Ian on February 06, 2019, 08:42:11 am
I think a good start would be to get the names of those councillors who have voted in the higher raise. We could then print them so the rate-paying voters could see exactly who is happy to spend our money.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Meleri on February 06, 2019, 01:30:53 pm
The Final decision on the amount of Council tax will be made by the Full Council on Thursday 28th February. It has been discussed by Cabinet & various Scrutiny Committees but only the full Council can pass the amount.
Some interesting facts came up in the last Finance & Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee meeting such as, Conwy has the highest rate of elderly residence over 65 in Britain at 30% yet Conwy were awarded the lowest settlement by the Government this year. Cardiff was given the highest award yet they have the lowest elderly population, yet it's a known fact more money needs to be spent on the elderly particularly when they have failing health. It's about time Central Government gave a fairer distribution of this money then CCBC wouldn't be faced every year with these large increases.
 
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on February 06, 2019, 01:40:55 pm
Meleri,  could not agree more with your comments, it is just common sense...........and that's the problem.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on February 08, 2019, 05:18:53 pm
CCBC are looking all the time to cut costs as there has been yet another cut in funding they receive from Cardiff. When Denbighshire CC started charging for garden waste it was only a matter of time before Conwy followed. My daughter has been paying £50 annually in Berkshire for green waste collection, which is one green bin per fortnight. I can see a lot more fly tipping in Conwy County & people lighting bonfires polluting the air.

The posibility of charging for domestic garden waste in the Conwy county has been left residents outraged.

https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/17419714.conwy-residents-left-outraged-over-proposed-garden-waste-charge/ (https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/17419714.conwy-residents-left-outraged-over-proposed-garden-waste-charge/)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Ian on February 09, 2019, 08:50:51 am
As I've suggested elsewhere the CCBC councillors really have two choices: remain on the Council, arguing they can't do anything and continue to take their expenses or do the honourable thing and resign  But then - expecting politicians to be honourable is probably akin to watching for orbiting equines.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Meleri on February 28, 2019, 03:45:38 pm
A rather heated debate at the full CCBC meetings today resulting in the Council Tax being voted in at 9.6%. It was a very close call at 29 for, 25 against & 2 abstainers. One councillor asked if they could have a secret ballot, so it was put to the vote, but they voted against going down that route. Reason behind this ploy was I believe politics, so that each Councillor in his/her right could vote by what they felt not their political party, but CCBC have to be seen to be transparent & a secret ballot wouldn't have gone down well. It's about time our elected Councillors represented their electorate not their political parties, politics should be left at Westminster/Senedd.
As a little side note having to pay for our green waste will be on the agenda very soon  >:(

In real terms it will be for Band D, CCBC £112.16 a rise of 9.6%, Police £19.98 a rise of 7.74% & Town Councils £1.83% a rise of 4.3%
2018/19 was £1,469.16
2019/20 £1,603.13
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: DVT on February 28, 2019, 03:52:46 pm
... there could be quite a saving in not wasting money with more and more speed bumps and those diaboliical red stripes on the A470 - wonder how many claims for suspension damage they'll get as driving over them at a maximum 20mph shakes your teeth out!

... they should use the tarmac to fill potholes instead of creating more bumps.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Bri Roberts on February 28, 2019, 04:39:31 pm
I watched the webcast this morning and I was surprised to learn there are 55,000 residents in Conwy County paying council tax and half of them claim the 25% single persons discount.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Meleri on February 28, 2019, 04:58:11 pm
Yes Bri we have discussed that on here before & it's something if I remember rightly Hugo thought should be looked at & so did I. Fair enough for the genuine claimants but I bet there are quite a few not entitled to it that are claiming & if this can be proved they should back date it & be made to pay it all back.
There is going to be a debate about Tourism Tax soon, CCBC are going to have to seriously start to look into more ways of bringing in more money to the County, as their reserves are the lowest in Wales.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Bri Roberts on February 28, 2019, 05:21:31 pm
I agree, Meleri, because CCBC do not hesitate in taking offenders to court when they are found guilty of claiming housing benefit when their personal circumstances change and they fail to inform CCBC.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Hugo on February 28, 2019, 06:18:08 pm
I remember you mentioning the 25 per cent reduction for Council Tax before and I would have thought that the Councillor who brought the matter up would have followed this up again.
The percentage of people claiming the 25 per cent reduction is just unbelievable and all that is required is a trial to see if it is viable to put resources and publicity into place to stop this fraud.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: norman08 on February 28, 2019, 06:36:44 pm
Hugo I couldn't believe that some people don't have to pay council tax 🤔, I sat there shaking my head sometimes, I don't like secret ballots But I think in there it would have been better , one councilor was in tears walking past me , didn't want to vote it in, the leader Gareth Jones had his head down most of the time , his cronies congratulating him after 😡  If that had been in a company boardroom they'd be thrown out.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Meleri on March 14, 2019, 02:30:33 pm
CCBC are conducting a "Garden Waste Collection Consultation" & are asking residents of the County to tell them what they think about charging for collecting garden waste.
Only 27% of Conwy budget comes from Council Tax, 54% from Welsh Government & a small amount comes from business rates & charges.
The funding from Welsh Government for 2019/20 is not enough to meet the pressure facing our schools & Social Services. This means there is a budget shortfall of £15.2 million & the need to make savings.
The garden waste collection is currently costing £620,000 a year & this is not longer affordable & they are considering either stopping the service or charging to cover some or all of the costs.
Gwynedd, Denbighshire & Flintshire are already charging for this service.

What do member of the Forum think of this & will you be contacting CCBC regarding this consultation?
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Hugo on March 14, 2019, 02:57:37 pm
It depends on the charge for collecting the garden rubbish and how many garden bags you use.    I had a blitz on the garden one week and had 28 bags full of garden waste and had to make a few journeys to Mochdre  because they only collect 6 bags at a time
The costs that I have seen for collecting the waste don't look that dear considering that in the Summer I normally have 6 bags to collect but it's a different matter for those with smaller gardens and fewer bags to collect

There was something on the Welsh TV this week about people dumping garden waste in the countryside and the effects that it has on the surroundings so I hope that that doesn't happen if the CCBC puts a charge on for collecting the garden waste
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on March 14, 2019, 04:17:28 pm
CCBC are conducting a "Garden Waste Collection Consultation" & are asking residents of the County to tell them what they think about charging for collecting garden waste.
Only 27% of Conwy budget comes from Council Tax, 54% from Welsh Government & a small amount comes from business rates & charges.
The funding from Welsh Government for 2019/20 is not enough to meet the pressure facing our schools & Social Services. This means there is a budget shortfall of £15.2 million & the need to make savings.
The garden waste collection is currently costing £620,000 a year & this is not longer affordable & they are considering either stopping the service or charging to cover some or all of the costs.
Gwynedd, Denbighshire & Flintshire are already charging for this service.

What do member of the Forum think of this & will you be contacting CCBC regarding this consultation?
Is this service contracted out ? I seem to recall seeing the men in Biffa livery a few years ago, seems expensive considering the waste is sold ? for recycling, to be used to make bio fuel and compost.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Meleri on March 14, 2019, 04:35:29 pm
Yes Steve it is contracted out & charges are expected to rise when it goes out to tender again.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on March 15, 2019, 12:32:33 pm
CCBC seem to be following our neighbors..............Attention all fly tippers  :(

Cost of bulky household waste collections to double for a single item
Authority says change is not aimed at increasing revenue but ensuring the costs of collections are covered.

The cost of bulky household waste collections will more than double for a single item in Denbighshire.
From April 1, the existing £5 per item charge will be lowered to £3 per item but a new administration fee of £8 will be added.
It means residents who want just one item collecting by the local authority will pay £11 - £6 more.
However a collection of the maximum of five items will cost £23 instead of the existing £25 fee.

Cont   https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/cost-bulky-household-waste-collections-15972524 (https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/cost-bulky-household-waste-collections-15972524) :(
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Hugo on March 15, 2019, 02:43:25 pm
I think that the CCBC  offer you the collection of one bulky household item free per year and we took advantage of that when they collected an old mattress from our house
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on March 18, 2019, 10:36:20 am
Pay for garden waste collection or else is the message residents are getting from a Conwy council consultation.

Conwy County Borough Council (CCBC) have opened a public consultation asking residents for their views on the potential charge for garden waste collection.

The garden waste recycling collection service currently costs £620,000 a year and CCBC are expecting this cost to rise next time the service is tendered.

A council spokesperson, in a statement, said: “This is no longer affordable and we are considering either stopping the service or charging to cover some or all of the costs.”
Other councils in the area including Gwynedd, Denbighshire and Flintshire already charge for the collection of garden waste.

The consultation is available on the CCBC website and in public libraries now. The council will also be distributing a limited number of paper copies to randomly selected households.

But residents have said the consultation is "flawed" and CCBC have already made up their mind on what they are going to do.
The only two options in the consultation survey are to pay for the garden waste collection or not have it at all.

Robert Lomas, a Conwy county resident, said: "So it is obvious that continuing the service as it currently is, is not an option.

"The information given details the cost of operating the current service but gives no details of the income generated by selling on the compost produced.

"What is the point of having a consultation when the pre-decided options are pay up or else.

"This is autocracy not democracy and if the purpose of the consultation is to be considered genuine then it should be re-run with a genuine range of options available to the public including maintaining the service in its current format."

Debbie Wareham, another Conwy county resident, added: "The survey on the CCBC website is flawed.
"Question 2 says: would you prefer the garden waste service to be scrapped? or would you prefer to keep it and be charged?
"Then it says select the first or second option. There is no option for saying keep existing service without charge, hence that is not an acceptable survey."

The closing date for residents to give their views is April 5 with a decision to be made on the future of the service soon after.
ref Pioneer


   
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Hugo on March 18, 2019, 12:02:29 pm
I've no strong feelings on this either way but I do have lots of green bags when the binman calls so I have been grateful for the free service provided so far.    I presume that if they charge householders for collection of the garden waste then anyone calling at the Mochdre waste unit will also be charged for the green waste.
One thing I read years ago seems absurd now and I never found out if it was true or not,    What I read was that the CCBC collected garden waste free but they did not compost it themselves and actually paid someone to take the garden waste away.
Surely that can't be true, but then after all it is the CCBC
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: snowcap on March 18, 2019, 09:34:25 pm
we have a green bin for garden waste and have been paying a charge of £36 a year for collection of same for the last two years, the bin is emptied every two weeks   from February untill November . It saves me having to bag it all and take it to the tip were i may have to que up for a half hour or more, It's a choice of pay it or tip your own. No contest for me
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Fester on March 18, 2019, 09:37:33 pm
I see that CCBC are giving us two choices, which is effectively no choice.
Either pay us for collecting the green waste, or we stop the service altogether.
So, immediately after increasing the Council Tax by an illegal amount, they then cut services even further.  Shocking.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: snowcap on March 18, 2019, 09:45:22 pm
That was our choice pay or take your own. and they say blackmail is ilegal ?
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: norman08 on March 18, 2019, 10:08:28 pm
Isn't it great one of the councilors that Will vote this through lives on Llys helig, and where do some of them dump their garden waste 🤔😡
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Blongb on March 19, 2019, 07:49:29 pm
If every rate payer in Conwy saved up their Garden Refuse for a couple of months and then were encouraged to bring it to the West Shore, we could ask all our County Councillors to come and view it. Then if we had a huge bonfire and burnt the lot.............. ;)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Hugo on March 19, 2019, 08:29:46 pm
Don't have the bonfire there on a windy day as the wind blown sand would soon put it out     ;D
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: DVT on March 29, 2019, 12:14:52 pm
Just had the questionaiire pushed through my letter-box.

It's a bit like the Brexit referendum - only two options - (A) no collection or (B) pay for it ... where is option (C) carry on as now.

Then we have questions about your age, gender, sexual orientation and religion ... can someone please explain to me what relevance that has to the amount of garden waste we generate?
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Bri Roberts on March 29, 2019, 12:48:33 pm
That is unbelievable, DVT.

Even if I was considering option (B) to pay for it, I would expect to be asked up to how much?

That would help me make an informed decision.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on March 29, 2019, 01:18:07 pm
Reminds me of times past, during a training session in the early 70's I was told to close the sale with, "how would you like to pay, by cash or by cheque " do not give another option, sounds like someone on the council has had similar training.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Fester on March 29, 2019, 01:19:18 pm
So what will they do if the majority of lesbian Afro-Caribbean respondents over the age of 65 agree to pay for it?   Set up a special collection service for them?
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Fester on March 29, 2019, 01:20:26 pm
Reminds me of times past, during a training session in the early 70's I was told to close the sale with, "how would you like to pay, by cash or by cheque " do not give another option, sounds like someone on the council has had similar training.

What other payment options were available in the early 1970s Steve?
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Nemesis on March 29, 2019, 01:59:17 pm
http://www.conwy.gov.uk/en/Resident/Parking-Roads-and-Travel/Marine-Drive-Toll-Road.aspx (http://www.conwy.gov.uk/en/Resident/Parking-Roads-and-Travel/Marine-Drive-Toll-Road.aspx)

I see that the pass for the Orme toll road has risen from £20.00 to £30.00 in one fell swoop ! At least Dick Turpin wore a mask ! $angry$
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: DVT on March 29, 2019, 04:46:16 pm
Bri Roberts ... there is a question how much you would like to pay ... you have the choice of £30, £36, £40 or £46 a year, they also quote the monthly figures of £2.50 up to £3.83.  Then you have a choice of what would encourage you to sign up to subscribe ... early payment discount, direct debit payment discount, online payment discount, 2 or 3 year sign-up discount.

The questionairre was delivered by hand to all the houses in our road, and includes a pre-paid envelope for you to send it back (how much is that costing, printing, postage and paying someone to deliver)?

In the Royal Mail Post I today received by council tax bill for the next 12 months - rises from £130 to £142 per month.  So that's an extra £12 plus at least £2.50 if you agree to pay for garden waste!

How many people will put their lawn cuttings into an ordingry bin bag and into the general refuse?
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Merddin Emrys on March 30, 2019, 10:57:48 am
I can see sales in garden incinerators going up!
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Meleri on March 30, 2019, 02:32:11 pm
I can understand CCBC asking the question regarding the discounts, but who in their right mind is going to put any more than £30, it's obvious residents are going to choose the cheapest if faced with having to pay. When you think about the months of November to February there are very few people who put out garden waste, so you will be paying for a service you aren't using  &shake& Does anyone know how many bags are they proposing to take with these prices?
ME Noooooooo! don't talk about garden incinerators, we had a neighbour who lit one every weekend for weeks last summer, filling all the neighbours houses with smoke if we left windows open. In the end we got up a petition & put it through his door with a reminder CCBC can issue an abatement notice if a neighbours garden fire is causing a nuisance & can be fined up to £5,000 if they persist & we were monitoring how often he lit a fire.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on March 30, 2019, 04:42:26 pm
Meleri...........  "Does anyone know how many bags are they proposing to take with these prices?"

This system is to save money,  :-\         however re. your question, I believe the council's plan is to purchase green wheelie bins, and we purchase a valid bin sticker yearly, now to my knowledge the green wagon is not designed for bin lifting ? so CCBC thinking on cost savings........... new bins and wagons  :(

And I do sympathise with the smoke problem, a couple of local houses have wood burning stoves, which they allow to smolder, not a lot we can do, but it does not help people with breathing difficulties.   >>> 
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Hugo on March 30, 2019, 04:48:41 pm
We had one lady in the street who had bonfires on a regular basis and burnt plastics as well as everything else and the smell was awful.  Thank goodness she has moved and we don't have to put up with it any more
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Nemesis on March 30, 2019, 07:37:41 pm
I can understand CCBC asking the question regarding the discounts, but who in their right mind is going to put any more than £30, it's obvious residents are going to choose the cheapest if faced with having to pay. When you think about the months of November to February there are very few people who put out garden waste, so you will be paying for a service you aren't using  &shake& Does anyone know how many bags are they proposing to take with these prices?
ME Noooooooo! don't talk about garden incinerators, we had a neighbour who lit one every weekend for weeks last summer, filling all the neighbours houses with smoke if we left windows open. In the end we got up a petition & put it through his door with a reminder CCBC can issue an abatement notice if a neighbours garden fire is causing a nuisance & can be fined up to £5,000 if they persist & we were monitoring how often he lit a fire.

We too have a 'recently arrived' new neighbour who has made himself very un-popular with his neighbours by lighting and leaving lit bonfires. One night we had one left unattended which was shooting flames 7ft high into the sky after 11pm.He and his missis weren't happy to be tackled on the subject. *punch*
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting....................garden waste charges
Post by: SteveH on April 10, 2019, 10:52:03 am
RESIDENTS in Conwy will have to start paying for their garden waste collections.

Members of the council’s cabinet have agreed that a charge should be brought in for the service. It follows on from the authority becoming the first council in Wales to introduce a four-weekly residual waste collection.

The cash-strapped council also brought in a 9.6% council tax hike earlier this year as it struggles with a £15.2m budget shortfall. By bringing in the new charges for green waste, the council hopes to save some of its £620,000 bill for the service. More than half the councils in England and Wales have introduced charges

for garden waste collection, including Gwynedd, Denbighshire and Flintshire, with Powys planning to start in 2019. At the moment, Conwy council says its garden waste collection contract is costing it £620,000 per year, which involves crewing five collection vehicles during peak season, with the service set to go back out to tender.

A fee of £30 a year was agreed for the collections, which is expected to bring in £600,000 if 20,000 residents take up the service.

Public consultations have taken place on the proposed changes, with 57% of respondents saying they would be happy to pay for the service.     ???

Cllr Donald Milne, the cabinet member responsible for the environment, said between 15,000 and 20,000 residents would be expected to use the service despite the introduction of the fees.

Residents who do take part in the scheme may be eligible to get free compost from the council, although this option is still under consideration.             +}}{--

Cllr Milne said: “Many of our residents don’t have a need for this service anyway, so why should they pay?
“The tendering process will be using our usual competitive tendering operation so I have no fears that we would not get a good deal.     :(

“As regards compost, it was something people thought many years ago that it was something we could sell, but effectively we are too efficient. We collect so much of it that we can’t dispose of it.      :-[

“It’s only since 2007 that we have done this. Prior to that, our residents were left to their own devices and the degree of fly-tipping of garden waste then was relatively minimal.

“Authorities that have since introduced this have not seen any problems on this.”      8)

Cllr Sam Rowlands, the cabinet member for finance, said: “We’re looking to charge £30 a year for a very good service.

“It would seem like quite a good perk to say help yourself to compost so that you’re getting as much compost as you need, as well as your stuff going.”    ref Pioneer

     
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Giggly girl on April 10, 2019, 03:02:21 pm
There are going to be a lot more bonfires  &shake&
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Bellringer on April 10, 2019, 04:52:12 pm
Cllr Milne says ’many of our residents don’t have a need for this service anyway,so why should they pay?’

I don’t have a need for many of the Council’s services, so is Cllr Milne saying that I shouldn’t be paying for them as part of my council tax?
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Hugo on April 10, 2019, 04:56:56 pm
A good point Bellringer     $good$
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on April 10, 2019, 04:59:32 pm
I did hear what I thought was a good idea, bin sharing, if neighbors with small gardens, get together.........  :-\
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Ian on April 10, 2019, 05:34:27 pm
Quote
Cllr Milne said: “Many of our residents don’t have a need for this service anyway, so why should they pay?

Oh, good,  Our boys are now working, so I don't need to pay the education service component, we  don't use social services so that's another component we won't need to pay.  But this particular individual has an interesting track record:

Conwy councillor Donald Milne voted for monthly bin collections despite campaigning against the proposal during the local elections. 

 Cabinet member for environment, roads and facilities, cllr Donald Milne, said: "Since we introduced four-weekly bin collections, most households have had no problem making the change – they are using the weekly recycling collections to keep space in their bins for non-recyclable waste.

"We provide a weekly waste food collection service in lockable containers, which means there shouldn’t be anything in the general waste bins to attract rats or other pests."

The Pioneer reported in September that there had been an increase in rats across the county with sightings in Llandudno and as far away as Penmaenmawr.

So clearly in touch with his constituents and on a nice little earner in the cabinet.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Hugo on April 10, 2019, 06:44:03 pm
The developers of the new CCBC  office have already done very well out of the lease that has been agreed with CCBC  but wouldn't it make sense if the old Civic Centre was sold to the highest bidder and not just to them?
Or have handshakes already done the deal?
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Robbie G on April 10, 2019, 07:18:42 pm
 Hugo I would think all the developers and speculators who operate in Conwy County and there seem to be a great number of them must view the area as a gold mine . You cannot believe some of the decisions taken by our councillors  you couldn't make the up , perhaps they are special handshakes .
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: norman08 on April 10, 2019, 07:41:37 pm
Isn't it true that our council Gave the civic centre to the developers as a sweetener.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: DVT on April 10, 2019, 10:40:22 pm
As the closing date for submitting the questionairre was Friday 5th and the announcemnent was made yesterday (9th) did that mean council staff worked over the weekend to compile the responses ... or had the decision already been taken that there would be a £30pa charge (I think I know the answer to that).

People I know who completed the form all added the third option of not paying for the facility, carry on as now ... I wonder if statistics will ever be produced to show the results of the responses.

I also asked why there were questions on equality and diversity (whatever that means) - I failed to see how that affected how many bags of grass cuttings are produced.

I don't require school transport or youth services, don't borrow books and cannot swim so it seems I could save quite a bit of council tax this year as a Councillor says we shouldn't pay for things we don't need.

Be interesting to see how this works.  If I put green bags of garden waste out, but don't agree to pay the charge, will the bags still be collected.  Equally, if I put grass cuttings into black bin bags and into the general waste along with other bags what will happen?
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: DaveR on April 11, 2019, 10:15:47 am
I don’t mind paying £30 a year to get a proper wheelie bin for the garden waste, instead of the green bags that blow up the road all the time when windy.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Hugo on April 11, 2019, 11:33:42 am
I'll accept that I have to pay the £30.00 for the garden waste to be collected but I'm happy with the green bags as I couldn't fit the amount I have into a Green wheelie bin.
Surely though all households don't have to pay the charge as there are many flats that have no garden whatsoever
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on April 11, 2019, 12:27:06 pm
I'll accept that I have to pay the £30.00 for the garden waste to be collected but I'm happy with the green bags as I couldn't fit the amount I have into a Green wheelie bin.
Surely though all households don't have to pay the charge as there are many flats that have no garden whatsoever

Hugo, the article is saying   "A fee of £30 a year was agreed for the collections, which is expected to bring in £600,000 if 20,000 residents take up the service."     from that I am assuming it is optional, I also wonder at the cost of supplying 20,000 new bins and the vehicles capable of handling them as apparently they are different  from the black bins?  another thought how many green bags are out there, and guess what they are non recyclable, you can tell a lot of planning has gone into this.

I wonder what we will have to pay for next year............. $angry$
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: norman08 on April 11, 2019, 02:17:06 pm
Haven't the council said they will put it out to tender to pick the garden waste if so the winning bid will pay the council so they will want to make a profit, so it must be a good money maker.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on April 11, 2019, 02:47:25 pm
I believe it is already on a tender, and they are looking to re tender when this one runs out, however it cost the council £620,000 for the present one, which is why they are now wanting us to pay, and I agree there should be a profit as I thought the waste was sold for bio fuel and compost ?    I think Biffa is the present contractor.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Fester on April 11, 2019, 11:19:15 pm
£600k is such a pathetically small amount to save, compared to the hassle this will create and the overall CCBC budget.  They won’t even notice this drop in the ocean.
Imagine the cost of yet another plastic wheelie bin at all these properties?
Where the hell are we supposed to put another bin?
So many streets now look absolutely terrible, as they are completely blighted by plastic bins everywhere.
I think they are obsessively focusing on the wrong priorities.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Ian on April 12, 2019, 08:28:47 am
I agree.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on June 06, 2019, 09:33:43 am
This situation is not as it seems, 31 comments of differing opinions ...........

Outrage as two ambulance rapid response vehicles slapped with £25 parking tickets in council car park
The cars were hit with fines after parking without valid tickets outside Llandudno swimming pool.

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/outrage-two-ambulance-rapid-response-16382854 (https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/outrage-two-ambulance-rapid-response-16382854)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on June 29, 2019, 06:32:30 pm
Conwy Council is set to see the establishment of a new board to oversee some of the county’s biggest projects.  ref Pioneer

The Conwy Opportunities Board will go before members of the county’s finance committee for approval when it meets on Monday.

The changes will replace the previous modernisation board that had run an eye over projects like the development of Venue Cymru, Parc Eirias and the new council offices at Coed Pella.  ..... (Now there's a recommendation for you)

For further details on Jobs for the boys........ https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/17738888.conwys-biggest-projects-set-to-be-overseen-by-new-board/ (https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/17738888.conwys-biggest-projects-set-to-be-overseen-by-new-board/)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on August 10, 2019, 01:49:19 pm
North Wales councils have brought in a staggering £4.3m in revenue from their car parks.

And some are hugely more lucrative than others.
Llandudno ’s promenade generated more parking revenue than any other car park or street in North Wales, according to figures released by councils in the region.

A freedom of information request found that Conwy council raked in £353,350 from on-street parking charges at the promenade between April 2018 and March 2019 –  almost double that generated by its nearest rival.

Conwy
 Promenade, Llandudno
Parade, Llandudno £353,350
Vicarage Gardens, Conwy £223,717
Town Hall, Llandudno £171,033
Morfa Bach, Conwy £156,433
Mount Pleasant, Conwy £65,892
Builder Street, Llandudno £65,623
Happy Valley, Llandudno £61,056
Colwyn Bay promenade £42,277
York Road, Llandudno £40,328
Maelgwyn Road, Gloddaeth Avenue, Llandudno £39,430

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/parking-cash-cows-netted-north-16733201 (https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/parking-cash-cows-netted-north-16733201)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: DVT on August 10, 2019, 09:05:41 pm
" ... almost double that generated by its nearest rival."

I'm no accountant but surely 353,350 is less than 60% of 223,717 ???

Nowhere near "almost double" !!!


Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on September 03, 2019, 09:51:22 am
Is this the slow build up to the next rates hike?   

Conwy Council facing £12.5m budget shortfall - this is why.

Conwy Council is facing a budget shortfall for the next financial year of £12.5m.

If the authority was to cover this through council tax alone, it would have to hike rates by 23%, councillors were warned at a meeting of Conwy 's finance scrutiny committee today.

A report to members of the committee outlined the situation as the council looks to set a balanced budget next March for the financial year of 2020/21.

Schools and social services made up the bulk of the council's spending, accounting for 30% and 28.3% of the authority's £220,001,000 budget.
Of the £12,494,000 savings needed, all but £1,768,000 arose as a result of outside pressures such as UK and Welsh Government policy.
https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/conwy-council-facing-125m-budget-16856180 (https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/conwy-council-facing-125m-budget-16856180)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Meleri on September 03, 2019, 04:52:52 pm
I watched that meeting on the CCBC webcast site & the actual amount of increase in Council Tax that was talked about was 7% & will now go to Scrutiny & Cabinet to be discussed further.
Cllr Anne McCaffrey proposed the Council consult residents in January for their feedback regarding options, which I thought an excellent idea. Hopefully people will respond instead of continually moaning about the increases & doing nothing about it. One avenue I really think that needs looking at is all these holiday cottages that aren't paying Council Tax. The Government & Council gave a helping hand to small businesses by zero rating there Council Tax to help them get established. Then the loophole that formed was that greedy landlords flipped their cottages to 'a small business' resulting in not having to pay Council Tax. Nearly half the cottages in Conwy Town alone are Holiday lets, so can you imagine the loss of revenue to the Council, yet they have let it happen. They need to plug this loophole to include only retail businesses & not residential, it's not rocket science. Some of these cottages in Conwy are charging over £1,000 a week at peak times, they can surely afford to pay their taxes like the rest of us. &shake&
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Bri Roberts on September 03, 2019, 05:24:42 pm
That seems very sensible, Meleri.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Ian on September 03, 2019, 05:47:59 pm
I agree.  However, it's worth remembering that CCBC bought this on itself. CCBC was launched as a small authority, with the suggestion that they would work with other authorities and share resources, such as school advisors, and so on. Of course, the greedy and power hungry in CCBC couldn't share with anyone;  they wanted to do it all themselves, so they ended up duplicating posts in neighbouring authorities and providing jobs for the boys.

If we take just one department - Education - what is essential to remember, here, is that the number of schools didn't suddenly change; it remained the same that had required - previously - only two chief advisors.  CCBC decided they wanted their own chief advisor, and advisors - of course - for each speciality. So whereas for forty schools, say,  you previously had two chief advisors now you had three - and guess who was paying? Same applied across the board for all the council departments - social services, education, fire, waste, leisure, libraries and children and young people. 

The councillors, for no reason other than to feed their own sense of self-importance - needlessly duplicated positions that already existed and the cost was borne by us - the ratepayers.   

Frankly, what they did verged on the criminal and the dire straits in which they now find themselves can be traced back directly to their hubris.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: OrmeMac on September 03, 2019, 06:53:28 pm
And, of course, high up the agenda for saving money was councillors pay, allowances and expenses. No, thought not.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: norman08 on September 03, 2019, 08:57:26 pm
Having sat through a few meetings in Conwy,What a shambles, I bet the tax rise will be more than the 9% this year lets see if them two councilor abstain ( in tears ) again.the temple of waste 😡
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Helig on September 04, 2019, 09:47:52 am
I support Meleri in that holiday lets should not be let off Council Tax. In some areas where local villages etc have been taken over by these lets, the councils are charging more Council Tax than just the basic amount. They are rated at 2x the basic charge, in some places more than that. I heard that some councils have talked about charging even more. They destroy communities and price local people out of the property market. It isn't right they don't contribute to the costs in the local area.

Do some councilors, or their families, in CBBC own holiday lets I wonder?

Helig.
Title: Re: CCBC ...................Conwy Replacement Local Development Plan
Post by: SteveH on September 07, 2019, 11:49:55 am
ANOTHER meeting to discuss the proposed Llanrhos housing plan is taking place.

In August, the Pioneer reported that residents had received letters in connection with Conwy Replacement Local Development Plan 2018-2033 preferred strategy consultation. The site will be phased in from 2024 - 2031.

As well as about 250 homes, the growth plan for Llanrhos includes 1 hectare of B1 (land for offices) to promote employment clusters, a new primary school, allotments, recreation spaces and improved public transport.

Another drop in session- for the public to voice their views - has now been organised for Tuesday, September 10 between 5pm and 8pm at Llanrhos Old School.

Cllr Mike Priestly, who looks after Marl ward, said: "It is not my ward but some residents in the Marl ward had voice their concerns and this is an opportunity for residents in Deganwy/in Marl Ward to get involved.

"The site is a green wedge. I think what we will end up seeing is having housing all the way Llandudno."

A summary of the preferred strategy also shows growth proposals for Llanfairfechan involving about 400 new homes, and a new primary school; Old Colwyn will see 450 new homes under the growth plan, as well as new recreational spaces and proposals for Llanrwst will involve 200 new homes.

Llandudno Town Centre will be protected and improved. Due to changes in the way people shop, there won’t be any more growth of retail areas.

Conwy will have limited housing and employment growth due to its environmental and historic status.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: norman08 on September 07, 2019, 12:21:37 pm
I can remember looking down from the Gt Orme years ago past the north western nothing right up Conwy rd, all built up now shops/ housing , these people that are shouting Where did their houses come from 🤔 The bodies should work together having enough schools doctors etc even get Llandudno hospital back to what it was, oh and have the housing for young locals not silly prices, people selling houses away for big bucks and then comming here pricing the locals out.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on September 07, 2019, 04:26:45 pm
" The bodies should work together having enough schools doctors etc even get Llandudno hospital back to what it was"

Could not agree more Norman, and Llandudno hospital, that needs to be sorted now, rather than later.

"housing for young locals, not silly prices, people from away, selling houses for big bucks, and then coming here pricing the locals out."

If you are talking about Llandudno,  my opinion, is the majority of homes will and do, change hands between, retirees, there is good news and bad with this, the bad, house prices will stay high, the good, ...employment... a lot like myself rely on the younger generation for their skills, I do not think there is a local trades person or shop, I have not used, in 2014, when I returned to the area, I needed them all, and after our recent move, we are starting to call them again, hopefully for the last time.

Reading the Pioneer earlier I noticed a headline....."excellent for first time buyer"  but the article started with "THIS is a well presented mid terrace house which would make an excellent for first time buyers or family home and would also be a great buy to let investment."

Looking at the property, it looks ideal,
The property in Old Colwyn is fitted with gas central heating and upvc double glazing.
Price: offers over £125,000                                  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/17887784.great-buy-let-investment-old-colwyn/ (https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/17887784.great-buy-let-investment-old-colwyn/)


For more information contact Dafydd Hardy, 16 Trinity Square, Llandudno, tel: 01492 871551, email: post@dafyddhardy.co.uk, or visit dafyddhardy.co.uk.

So hopefully some young person has his/her ducks in a row, and can win the race.             *cycle*



Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on September 12, 2019, 06:33:56 pm
Conwy county council will not be bringing back outside enforcement officers to replace controversial company Kingdom.

Now a task and finish group of councillors given the job of looking into what to replace the service with has completed its work.

                                                         LOOK OUT, BEWARE YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.        $hands$

"The group has recommended the council works with Keep Wales Tidy to educate and encourage better behavior as a way of cutting down on littering and dog fouling."

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/kingdom-enforcement-squad-replacement-ruled-16910016 (https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/kingdom-enforcement-squad-replacement-ruled-16910016)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on September 20, 2019, 09:36:20 am
Fears have been raised that residents of in Conwy could be hit with double taxation as the authority looks to save money.  ref Pioneer

Conwy County Borough Council could get smaller town and community councils to take up more responsibilities as it tries to deal with its cash crisis.

Cont.....   https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/17915768.double-taxation-warning-services-conwy/ (https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/17915768.double-taxation-warning-services-conwy/)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Ian on September 20, 2019, 10:21:47 am
This stood out:

The report used the example of the Bala area, where community councils work together to commission services such as grass cutting...

In other words, exactly what was suggested the County councils should have done when they were originally formed. CCBC is in this mess because of its own absurd empire building mentality.  Why has CCBC never suggested sharing social services, education and environment services with two or three larger surrounding County councils?  They really are disingenuous...
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on October 24, 2019, 03:46:55 pm
Conwy Council facing £2m social services overspend
"This is a very distressing picture for our social care budget in Conwy, in particular our looked after children"

A couple of quotes from the article stand out..

"One client cost the authority £274,000 for a year so they could be provided with accommodation, health care and education"

"“The overspend is a legacy from the previous financial year coupled with current growth, with almost a million pounds shared across six clients."

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/conwy-council-facing-2m-social-17140871 (https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/conwy-council-facing-2m-social-17140871)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on November 12, 2019, 02:23:38 pm
Councillors in Conwy have told of their frustration over plans to give them another pay rise.

The Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (IRPW) has said councillors should get a pay rise of £350 a year, which would mean their annual salary would  increase to £14,218.

A report is produced each year by the IRPW recommending what councillors should be paid, with members given an extra £200 last year.
But the plans have been slammed by some councillors who said they felt it was wrong that they get a pay hike each year.
Cllr Aaron Wynne, who represents Llanrwst, says he will refuse the proposed increase.
He said:  “Why should we enjoy a pay–rise when the rest of the public sector has a pay-cap?

“Since joining the council in 2017 I have refused the pay increase for councillors, except for this year, when I accepted the payrise in order to donate it to Llanrwst United Football Club, after they suffered extensive damage from flooding.”

The leader of Plaid Cymru on Conwy Council, Cllr Wyn Jones, said: “In such a time when local authorities across Wales are having to make significant cuts to their budgets, and when council tax increases have never been higher, how can we justify a pay–rise for councillors?“In a meeting of the council early this year, councillors called on the Welsh government to determine the levels of pay for councillors at the start of an electoral term, rather than annually which only adds costs to the taxpayer.” The cash-strapped council has been struggling with its finances and this year levied an inflation busting 9.6% council tax rise.And the council’s deputy leader, Goronwy Edwards, said: “It’s that time of year again and I dare say that with Conwy facing challenging  budgets pressures some people may question should members be receiving an increase? “But being aware of the additional expectations that are being asked of members it’s probably that it’s only fair that they should receive an increase in-line with information, which is also in line with public sector employees . As for myself as a cabinet member there is no increase proposed and as deputy leader of the council I will again,  not be taking up the additional payment for that role , which is a saving of over £4,000 to the council.”           ref Pioneer
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on December 04, 2019, 04:00:15 pm
Council staff in Conwy could have to pay to park at work.

One councillor has asked that parking charges be considered for council office car parks at Bodlondeb and the new Coed Pella building.

The cost of implementing such a move, including providing new machines, is estimated at being £20,000, with the potential income from the change being £64,000.   cont. https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/council-staff-could-pay-park-17363062 (https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/council-staff-could-pay-park-17363062)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: norman08 on December 04, 2019, 04:44:49 pm
Is this another bright idea screw the workers while the councilors claim it on their expenses, typical Tory cabinet 😡
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on December 04, 2019, 05:58:52 pm
Agreed not very bright, but the blame has to be spread a bit further, Coun. Andrew Wood who brought up the idea, is an independent, and the others.....
The current political make-up of the Council is:
Conservative: 16
Conwy First Independent Group: 13
Plaid Cymru: 8
Independent: 7
Labour: 8
Lib Dem: 4
Plaid Annibynnol: 3
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Ian on December 04, 2019, 06:36:09 pm
Interesting...
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on December 18, 2019, 01:41:45 pm
SOME council provided services in Conwy are under threat thanks to the authority receiving the second lowest funding in Wales from the Welsh Government.

Conwy will receive an increase of just 3.4 per cent in its funding while the average increase in Wales is 4.3 per cent.

Cllr Sam Rowlands, leader of Conwy County Borough Council, said: “We anticipate a financial deficit of £12.5m for next year due to increased pressure on our essential services, such as social care and teaching, and an increase in the cost of providing them.

“We have to have a balanced budget ready for March so we will have to cut some services and look at ways of raising income to bridge the gap. I know that all of what we do helps our residents in different ways so these decisions around cuts are not taken lightly and will be the subject of review and debate in democracy.”

He added: “I am disappointed that yet again Conwy and North Wales is not receiving its fair share of funding; four of the lowest five in the settlement are from North Wales, they are: Ynys Mon, Conwy, Flintshire and Wrexham.

“I’ll be working with the other North Wales couincil leaders to lobby for a fairer distribution of funding and to reinstate the funding floor.”

Over the next months, councillors will work towards agreeing a balanced budget for the next financial year at the start of March.   ref Pioneer
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: norman08 on December 18, 2019, 02:55:31 pm
👏 and here we go again just like last year, this next council tax rise will be 10% /15%, the ccbc closed shop, maybe Don't take your big pay rises.maybe don't waste what cash we have.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: bigbadhenry on December 19, 2019, 09:38:36 am
Events Conwy and Venue Cymru never seem short of money.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: norman08 on December 19, 2019, 03:13:11 pm
Conwy events & venue are running in big debts, they are one of Ccbc problems.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Meleri on December 19, 2019, 03:15:35 pm
CCBC are looking into replacing the seating in Venue Cymru in the not too distant future. This was mentioned in the last Cabinet meeting.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on January 22, 2020, 10:25:21 am
Householders in Conwy county face a threat of a seven per cent increase in council tax.

In addition the authority’s school budget could be cut by more than 2.6 per cent.

But these recommendations for the financial year 2020 to 2021, from the council’s finance and resources overview and scrutiny committee, have to be approved by the cabinet and then the full council in March.     cont. https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/18177805.council-taxpayers-conwy-county-face-seven-per-cent-hike/ (https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/18177805.council-taxpayers-conwy-county-face-seven-per-cent-hike/)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Bri Roberts on January 22, 2020, 10:41:54 am
CCBC are looking into replacing the seating in Venue Cymru in the not too distant future. This was mentioned in the last Cabinet meeting.

CCBC have recently replaced their gym equipment in Llandudno, Colwyn Bay and Llandudno Junction at a cost of £1.1m when I didn’t think there was much wrong with what was already in use.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on January 23, 2020, 10:13:03 am
The tax loophole that second home owners could use - and it's got a North Wales council worried
Conwy councillors are now being urged to abandon plans to double the empty and second homes council tax levy at tomorrow's meeting because of it.

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/tax-loophole-second-home-owners-17614367 (https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/tax-loophole-second-home-owners-17614367)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Hugo on January 23, 2020, 02:49:43 pm
With all the resources that they have at their disposal the Councils should be able to overcome the problems with second homes.
In Gwynedd they have had a big problem with second home owners saying that the house is a business and not subject to domestic rates but appear not to have done anything positive about it
All that is needed is if the second home owner wants to change the status of the property from Domestic to Business then to supply the Council with the reference and address of the Tax Office that deals with their business and then that information can be passed on to the Tax Office.       It shouldn't have any affect on the genuine cases
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Meleri on January 23, 2020, 04:23:49 pm
CCBC had a meeting today & discussed the Council Tax Premium on Long term empty homes & Second homes. They voted not to put it up an extra 50% but to keep it at 25% the same as last year. Reason being they feel there is a risk of the 50% rise would backfire on them & more people would 'flip' to Non-domestic rates/business rates then be exempt from paying anything. Plus the fact those people could retrospectively claim back three years back payments resulting in a loss instead of a gain to the Council. The small business rate exemption was designed to help small business on the high street not holiday homes/lets, so a loophole has appeared that needs to be closed, but no one seems to be doing anything about it. The odd thing in all this is if you wanted to change the use of a shop to a house you would have to have planning permission, but that doesn't appear to be the case the other way around.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on January 28, 2020, 10:20:53 am
The usual article about rates needing to go up, however there are 15 comments, most very sensible below the piece.

Playgrounds, toilets, CCTV and car parks at risk as council looks to plug £12.5m shortfall
The financial burden of maintaining amenities could be passed on to town and community councils and mean larger tax bills for locals.

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/playgrounds-toilets-cctv-car-parks-17563936 (https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/playgrounds-toilets-cctv-car-parks-17563936)

Three of the comments....

"Prime example small chip in Quay wall Conwy maybe a cup full of cement to repair it
Ccbc paid jennings £1200 to repair  when confronted was told its just standard practice to let jennings do the jobs as there vetted by the council"

One of three comments from "Pedro"
"Someone has commented under the PCC article that it's gone up by 42% in the past ten years. Certainly this and the previous two stand at 5, 10 and 7%, set against inflation at circa 2-2.5%. So their efficiency looks very much like its plummeting. Have they restructured using the Harvard Uni "span of control" and maximum number of management layers analyses and conclusions? It looks like Sainsbury's and Morrison's are applying these hard rules with the vigour that managers performing at an equivalent level of effectiveness to their industry peers have to.... fine to argue when you build a case for higher salaries and bonuses but difficult to live up to if you're actually less competent of a fiefdom builder. What analysis and action has been taken to reduce the number of impromptu or scheduled meetings of three or more staff. Wha is the charter, decision making autonomy and efficiency of any and all such meetings. Pare then down to workable numbers of empowered and accountable strategic and tactical implementation meetings. Remember always that managers/supervisors crest work for the workforce and seldom detract from it."

"The council should be forced to summarise accounts for all to see. From road signs to consultancy charges paid. 
It would be interesting to understand how their procurement policies work, for example do they allow tendering for all or tendering for a selected providers who may not offer the best price..
They have a nice shiny building in Colwyn Bay for example that is under utilised - I wonder how the costs for that building impacted the 12.5 million shortfall.."
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: norman08 on January 28, 2020, 04:04:10 pm
You mentioned Jennings and about the tendering process, Jennings seem to get all the council work, ( dumping all the rocks on north shore, moving the sand 2/6 times + a year, now we have the crew with the garden waste, how many tenders went in for that 🤔.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Meleri on January 28, 2020, 04:32:38 pm
Another worrying item that came up in a recent CCBC meeting which was pointed out by a Councillor was, taking on an Ash die back team. The proposed Project Manager G10 Scale would be on a salary of £57,000 plus there would be two Inspectors on £38,000 each & Admin £27,000. The Councillor questioned (rightly so) does it warrant a Manager on such a high wage to manage three people, couldn't the post be Manager/Inspector to save money. I thought this was a good idea but a CCBC representative said no.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on January 28, 2020, 04:52:04 pm
Ash dieback team......   :-[ Thats the first I have heard about this disease.  https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/tools-and-resources/pest-and-disease-resources/ash-dieback-hymenoscyphus-fraxineus/ (https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/tools-and-resources/pest-and-disease-resources/ash-dieback-hymenoscyphus-fraxineus/)   Those figures are ridiculous, this is the sort of decision making scenario, that makes rate payers very scared.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Ian on January 28, 2020, 05:38:04 pm
If it's going to be dealt with on local levels, then surely their own Parks and Gardens depts can do it, with a simple  extra body or two to act as Ash Die Back specialists.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on January 28, 2020, 06:36:39 pm
If it's going to be dealt with on local levels, then surely their own Parks and Gardens depts can do it, with a simple  extra body or two to act as Ash Die Back specialists.

Also if a specialist is needed, I suggest share one among the local boroughs, like an area manager.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Bri Roberts on January 28, 2020, 06:40:28 pm
Meanwhile, our schools are having to make unwanted redundancies to help meet these cuts.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Ian on January 28, 2020, 07:12:32 pm
If it's going to be dealt with on local levels, then surely their own Parks and Gardens depts can do it, with a simple  extra body or two to act as Ash Die Back specialists.

Also if a specialist is needed, I suggest share one among the local boroughs, like an area manager.

Indeed. the very plan put forward when the entirely unnecessary CCBC was formed in the first place.  Let me think-how did that work out?
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: norman08 on January 28, 2020, 08:33:31 pm
Let's go back to the good old town councils, never any waste then wouldn't have to payout on this shower of county councilors.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on February 07, 2020, 11:43:13 am
I have always thought that the age ratio in the county was never treated fairly by the WG.............


A council leader told a Welsh Government minister “we have a higher ratio of over-65s in Conwy than Japan” in a letter pleading for extra funding.

Cllr Sam Rowlands, leader of Conwy council, revealed he was highlighting to Welsh local government minister Julie James how social care was one example of funding where he feels the authority is not being supported.

The council received the joint second-lowest amount of cash in Wales which he says has forced his cabinet to ask for a 7% rise in council tax this year – coming on top of a 9.6% hike in 2019.  cont... https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/18218876.we-65s-japan-sam-rowlands-tells-welsh-government/ (https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/18218876.we-65s-japan-sam-rowlands-tells-welsh-government/)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on February 14, 2020, 12:32:12 pm
How first time buyers could grab a bargain in Snowdonia National Park with £100k grant thrown in
Conwy council announced the scheme to get empty properties back into circulation

"Money taken from developers will be used to help first time buyers renovate empty homes as part of an innovative new council grant scheme."

"The figures also revealed Conwy is sitting on more than £2.3m in section 106 contributions but more than half-a-million had already been earmarked for projects by April 2019, including the First time Buyer Grants.

The money needs to spent within a certain amount of time or it has to be returned to developers. Conwy council handed back £11,136 in 2018-19 due to one developer scaling back plans, which warranted a smaller contribution.

The authority said, as of February this year, it still had £1.77m of developer contributions yet to be allocated to projects ranging from Welsh language to flood defence and regeneration projects."

more    https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/how-first-time-buyers-could-17747411 (https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/how-first-time-buyers-could-17747411)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on February 17, 2020, 02:50:05 pm
Many years ago a leaflet delivered to the house gave details of the funds received from Conwy's  recycling, at the time I was seriously impressed with the figures, but nothing since, I think 2013, in an article today Gwynedd , states    "This material is usually sold on for a profit which in, itself brings in an average income to the council of £700,000 a year - the equivalent of a one per cent council tax rise."
It would be good to know todays figures, although knowing our lot they are giving it away.

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/behind-scenes-gwynedds-biggest-recycling-17751918 (https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/behind-scenes-gwynedds-biggest-recycling-17751918)


Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on February 27, 2020, 05:27:19 pm
A LESSER council tax increase of 4.95 per cent is now being considered for Conwy.

Cllr Sam Rowlands, leader of the Council, has presented the latest information on the 2020/21 Budget to Cabinet colleagues, in preparation for the final decision by Council next week.

A protest to 'freeze council tax' took place on Saturday after it was initially proposed householders face a threat of a seven per cent increase in council tax.

Cllr Rowlands said: "The Revenue Budget is one of the most important considerations that we make during the course of the Council’s year. The planning for 2020/21 has been especially difficult due to the timing of the provisional settlement and how late in the day the final settlement will be made available to us.

“The majority of our budget goes to schools and social care and we need to ensure we can deliver the best possible services for these groups in the current, challenging financial climate.”

“I’m pleased that we’ve been able to recommend to next week’s Council meeting a lesser Council Tax increase of 4.95 per cent. Clearly we must consider all the pressures and demands on council services when setting the budget and council tax.”

The recommendation put forward by Scrutiny Committee and Cabinet on Thursday, February 27 will be presented to Council on Thursday, March 5 for the final decision.    ref Pioneer
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: norman08 on February 27, 2020, 07:25:54 pm
Steve most of this lot said they would put it up 16/7 % it worried people in the end it was 9'6 % , this lot put it out it could have to be 7%, let's not forget elections comming up next few years, oh to get 4.5 % £1.7 mill will be taken out of education.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Meleri on February 29, 2020, 05:41:09 pm
At the Scruiting Committee meeting Cllr Philip Capper mentioned there was 1.3 million unallocated funds, so proposed they use part of it to set Council Tax at 4.95% & the remainder to go into Education & it was passed. It then went to Cabinet & again passed & now will go to the Full Council next week. I don't know where you are getting your facts from Norman but I haven't seen anything like them & I have been following this for a while. We have to stop blaming our Councillors for this, as it's all down to The Welsh Government & the unfair way they have of allocating funding. Conwy County have the highest rate of elderly in the world & the Welsh Government refuse to recognise this. Conwy's recent settlement from WG was the 2nd lowest in all of Wales, so the Leader went down to Cardiff to see if he could make them see the problem we have with the cost incurred by the elderly, but they refused to take it into consideration after what was said. The way of calculating what each County gets is most unfair & five of the North Wales Counties got the lowest settlements. So as you see it's like banging their heads against a brick wall & the South will always come first.
Cllr Ronnie Hughes had an unusual take on it, he said why don't we have our own Welsh Government up here in North Wales & make our own decisions with our own budgets, which was food for thought. Another thing he pointed out was if we have now left the EU why are we still paying them £250,000 out of our funds.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on March 01, 2020, 11:10:09 am
The Welsh Government & the unfair way they have of allocating funding. Conwy County have the highest rate of elderly in the world & the Welsh Government refuse to recognise this. Conwy's recent settlement from WG was the 2nd lowest in all of Wales, so the Leader went down to Cardiff to see if he could make them see the problem we have with the cost incurred by the elderly, but they refused to take it into consideration after what was said. The way of calculating what each County gets is most unfair & five of the North Wales Counties got the lowest settlements. So as you see it's like banging their heads against a brick wall.

I agree the need for fairer funding taking into account the above average number of our elderly population, should be taken into account for both local social services and the NHS, and more should be done to stress this point with our politicians.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on March 04, 2020, 10:28:31 am
I read this story with a smile, until I got to the bit about "consultancy fees" ...........

Council told not to spend £1.5m schools cash on porn or prostitutes
The Welsh Government covered all bases with its rules on what Conwy council could spend the grant on.

"The list of works the money will be used for will be discussed at this evening's education and skills overview and scrutiny committee meeting at the council's Bodlondeb offices.

The big winners are Ysgol Gynradd Glanwydden, Penrhyn Bay , which will get £60,000 for a new roof and Mochdre Infants School which will also get a new roof costing £110,000.

Ysgol Betws Y Coed will receive £100,000 to spend on a new kitchen building and roof.

There will be a contingency fund of more than £380,000 held back for urgent repairs and consultancy fees of £85,000 have been factored in.

Conwy's leader Cllr Sam Rowlands said: "We are grateful for the funding ... and grateful for the clear stipulations on how to spend it."

full article and 22 comments          https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/council-told-not-spend-15m-17855818 (https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/council-told-not-spend-15m-17855818)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on March 05, 2020, 11:01:37 am
A former leader has told his colleagues their council should ditch its membership of a local authority "union" and save more than £86,000 in annual subscriptions.

Cllr Ronnie Hughes, a former leader of Conwy council , was speaking at a finance scrutiny committee called to discuss the forthcoming year's budgets.

Discussing the budget, he lambasted the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA), which is effectively the union for local authorities and lobbies Welsh Government on their behalf.    cont   https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/86000-havent-given-sausage-council-17861959 (https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/86000-havent-given-sausage-council-17861959)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Meleri on March 05, 2020, 01:38:28 pm
At the CCBC full council meeting today it was voted that the Council Tax be set at 4.95%, which equates to about £1 per week rise. It was a very lively debate worth watching on the webcast. Cllr Ronnie Hughes brought up the subject again of the unfair distribution of funding by the Welsh Government & proposed that the CCBC give 12 months notice to resign from the WLGA if they will not act on the unfair way of calculation & that it is not fit for purpose. There is to be an open meeting in the next 2 weeks to meet a representative from WLGA, so Cllr Ronnie's proposal has been put on hold for the time being.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on March 06, 2020, 11:04:26 am
At the CCBC full council meeting today it was voted that the Council Tax be set at 4.95%, which equates to about £1 per week rise. It was a very lively debate worth watching on the webcast. Cllr Ronnie Hughes brought up the subject again of the unfair distribution of funding by the Welsh Government & proposed that the CCBC give 12 months notice to resign from the WLGA if they will not act on the unfair way of calculation & that it is not fit for purpose. There is to be an open meeting in the next 2 weeks to meet a representative from WLGA, so Cllr Ronnie's proposal has been put on hold for the time being.

Conwy council reports rise in social care costs due to more patients.
A local authority report has revealed that housing an extra 33 older patients in nursing and residential homes cost it an extra £540,000.

The business revenue case report by Conwy council’s director of social care and education was pleading for an extra £850,000 from council coffers to deal with financial pressures.

The department also asked for a further £2,150,000 to cover National Living Wage rises incurred by care providers working to provide council services.  cont..  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/18283367.conwy-council-reports-rise-social-care-costs-due-patients/ (https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/18283367.conwy-council-reports-rise-social-care-costs-due-patients/)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on March 08, 2020, 12:15:17 pm
Conwy Council’s outstanding loans stood at £177 million at the end of December, figures show.

Borrowing by Conwy Council rose by £7.7 million last year, new figures reveal.

​The Local Government Association says unprecedented ​funding pressures on councils have forced many to borrow in order to protect vital services.

Conwy Council’s outstanding loans stood at £177 million at the end of December, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government figures show.
This was a 5% increase from the same point a year earlier, when it stood at £169.4 million.   cont  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/18289973.conwy-councils-outstanding-loans-stood-177-million-end-december-figures-show/ (https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/18289973.conwy-councils-outstanding-loans-stood-177-million-end-december-figures-show/)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on March 19, 2020, 01:05:48 pm
A council has said it won’t be refunding council tax  payers who paid for garden waste to be removed despite not collecting it for three months.

Cllr Greg Robbins, Conwy council’s lead member for environment said “a change in service doesn’t result in a refund”.

Disgruntled gardeners in the county haven’t had their green waste removed since January – and the service will not resume until the end of this month, when it will cost £30 a year to have your cuttings removed.

Some green-fingered tax payers, angered by a near 5% rise in council tax this year, felt they should have had a partial council tax refund because of the gap in services.

Others said it could cause people to “fly-tip rather than wait”, although residents can take garden waste to local recycling centres and dispose of it free of charge.

In a letter to one constituent Cllr Robbins stood firm on the issue. He said: “Unfortunately the reason for moving to a chargeable garden waste service is that we are having to find ways to continue to deliver our statutory services at reduced levels of funding from central government.

“The garden waste subscription service will contribute around £500,000 of savings, meaning less of the shortfall will need to be raised from Council Tax increases.

“More than half of Councils in England and Wales charge for collection of garden waste, including Gwynedd, Denbighshire and Flintshire.

“There is no evidence from other Councils that fly tipping increases as a result of charging and we did not have problems before we started the service in 2007. ref Pioneer




     
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: DVT on March 19, 2020, 04:32:42 pm
I wonder how much the Council will save by charging for garden waste to be removed.  I paid, and yesterday received a large brown bin which cost about the same as my payment (having googled to find out the price of such an item) so that's no money made from me for this year.

But they will (or should be) collecting a number of times during the year, so that expense will be incurred.

But one thing I did notice that only 3 bins were delivered to the houses in my road, yet there are 16 houses.  So on that basis only about 20% of the local residents have taken up up the "offer".

Must fit a lock on my bin, to ensure no-one else puts their grass cuttings in there!
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Hugo on March 19, 2020, 06:19:26 pm
It could be that the other residents have ordered the bins but haven't had them delivered yet.  I've paid for mine as has my neighbour but  we are still awaiting delivery of the bins
At the moment I have six green bags full of grass cuttings but that's far too much to go in one brown bin. So the rest will have to go to the Mochdre depot although I am tempted to put it in the black bin instead
Title: Re: CCBCouncil
Post by: SteveH on March 20, 2020, 03:50:25 pm
The leader of a council will make delegated decisions on council matters for the foreseeable future because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Conwy council’s top elected official, councillor Sam Rowlands, is expected to be handed the emergency powers at next week’s cabinet meeting.
The agenda for the forum on Tuesday, March 24, allows for him to “determine any issue which would have otherwise come to a Cabinet meeting for a decision”.

Normal council reports will still be circulated to council members five days before any decision and cabinet members will still be consulted via email.
Members will be invited to submit comments via email direct to the leader and all decisions “subject to normal urgency and other exemption from call in provisions” will be able to be “called in”.

This means a minimum of three councillors can ask for any decision to be re-examined by Cabinet within five days of the relevant cabinet minutes being published.

The decision means Conwy will not hold any public meetings until restrictions on public gatherings are lifted.

Cllr Rowlands said: “The decisions will still be made public and there will be opportunities for those decisions to be called-in.“It’s about dealing with things quickly and not having groups of people being in the same room.
“Every council in Wales will be doing something similar. Reports will still have to be produced five days in advance as usual.”

The constitution of the council does allow for such extreme measures and it is likely that the situation will continue for at least the next two months.”

Cllr Brian Cossey, Welsh Liberal Democrat member for Colwyn ward, said he could understand the decision.
He said: “It’s quite a reasonable step to take because it’s going to be very difficult to have any meetings.

“I think it’s OK as long as we are kept fully informed and we can make representations to the leader.
“If we don’t like the decisions being made there’s always the calling in procedure.”
He added: “It’s quite an unusual situation. I’ve seen nothing like this in my lifetime.” ref Pioneer
.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on May 23, 2020, 10:07:11 am
48 transport projects around Wales given multi-million funding
The cash will be used for projects around Wales including bus stops and 20mph zones
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/transport-grants-bus-funding-metro-18297646 (https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/transport-grants-bus-funding-metro-18297646)

Conwy             Local Transport Fund

North Wales Metro – Llandudno congestion improvements - £168,700

North Wales Metro – Abergele town centre congestion improvements scheme development - £20,000

North Wales Metro – Traffic congestion relief scheme at Towyn (A548 Tir Prince Access) - £213,000

North Wales Metro – Conwy IRT pilot - £280,000

North Wales Metro – Old Colwyn splash point - £286,500
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on August 28, 2020, 04:33:40 pm
A county councillor said a 7.9 per cent pay rise over seven years “summed up how they value my services” after it emerged MPs and MS’s had received much bigger increases.

The comment came during a meeting of the democratic services committee meeting held by Conwy county council.

 “Why should Councillors enjoy a pay–rise when the rest of the public sector has a pay-cap?"
“The economic fallout that will ensue from the Coronavirus pandemic will be devastating with thousands set to lose their jobs.
“This is not the time to reward ourselves with a pay rise."

Cllr Harry Saville (Llandudno Gogarth) also rejected the idea of an increase in the basic allowance for councillors, also deputy mayor of Llandudno, asked for his vote against the rise to be placed on the record.

Full story   https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/18683661.conwy-councillors-7-9-per-cent-pay-rise-7-years-mss-mps/ (https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/18683661.conwy-councillors-7-9-per-cent-pay-rise-7-years-mss-mps/)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Fester on August 28, 2020, 10:01:45 pm
Rather than give MPs, AMs or councillors a pay rise..... can’t we just clap for them instead?
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Hugo on August 28, 2020, 10:59:07 pm
You're right Fester, they all deserve the clap              clappinghappy
Title: Re: CCBC .......Conwy Labour group upheaval
Post by: SteveH on October 16, 2020, 01:32:01 pm
Conwy Labour group upheaval see cash rows and two long-serving councillors quit.

Two Conwy long-serving county councillors have quit Labour’s cohort within the authority after their group leader ousted a colleague from a committee chair.

Tudno ward member cllr Ronnie Hughes, a former leader of the council and a Labour stalwart, said he’d “never been in this position before in 30-odd years of being a councillor”.

Cllr Mike Priestley, who represents Marl ward, also left the group over the “unrest” surrounding the nomination for chairman of the council’s social care and health scrutiny committee. But he says he remains committed to the Welsh Labour Party.

Full details   https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/18799660.conwy-labour-group-upheaval-see-cash-rows-two-long-serving-councillors-quit/ (https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/18799660.conwy-labour-group-upheaval-see-cash-rows-two-long-serving-councillors-quit/)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Meleri on October 17, 2020, 04:35:53 pm
This only goes to prove party politics has no place in local government, they should all be Independent. Local government has to be answerable to local people & work together for the good of those residents. To be 100% committed to working for local residents, as one of these Councillors mentions in the article, this petty politics & in fighting in CCBC must be stopped.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Blongb on October 17, 2020, 05:15:25 pm
This only goes to prove party politics has no place in local government, they should all be Independent. Local government has to be answerable to local people & work together for the good of those residents. To be 100% committed to working for local residents, as one of these Councillors mentions in the article, this petty politics & in fighting in CCBC must be stopped.

I totally agree with you Meleri, when I was based in what has now become Manchester Airport City, I always voted for an Independent Councillor to represent me at the local level and I had the great privilege of voting Martin Bell in to represent us at Westminster.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on November 27, 2020, 12:50:55 pm
Councils could charge developers for upkeeping “green spaces, rivers and lakes” under new Welsh Government rules.

A Green Infrastructure Audit (GIA) needs to be completed by all councils because Welsh Government has made it a priority in national planning guidance, along with net carbon zero targets and active travel (walking and cycling).

Conwy county council discussed its GIA at this week’s cabinet meeting where it emerged upkeeping green infrastructure (GI), such as green spaces, rivers and lakes, could impact on developers.

cont  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/18903648.conwy-developers-charged-upkeep-green-spaces/ (https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/18903648.conwy-developers-charged-upkeep-green-spaces/)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on December 04, 2020, 10:22:01 am
Ahead of Small Business Saturday [5th December], the Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government has announced a £10m funding boost for town centres, under the £90m Transforming Towns programme, to support businesses and increase vibrancy and footfall in towns across Wales.

The loan scheme will support local authorities (£1,000,000 for Conwy) to reduce the number of vacant, under-utilised and redundant sites and premises in town centres by providing interest free loans to redevelop or refurbish sites.

The properties will be redeveloped as shops, homes and leisure facilities, with loans being recycled up to three times over a 15 year period. Once repaid they can be used again to fund new loans and be re-invested in similar projects.

cont   https://www.wales247.co.uk/funding-boost-for-transforming-towns-programme/ (https://www.wales247.co.uk/funding-boost-for-transforming-towns-programme/)

Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting...Sea defences in a £59m programme
Post by: SteveH on December 04, 2020, 03:39:07 pm
Conwy councillors backed plans to bolster the county’s sea defences in a £59m programme of investment and even Donald Trump got a mention.

The Coastal Risk Management Programme with Welsh Government was discussed at this week’s joint meeting of finance and resource and economy and place scrutiny committees, within Conwy county council.
The scheme commits the authority to revamping sea defences at:

Llanfairfechan – costing £1.88m;
Llandudno – costing either £22,800,000 or £6,700,000 depending on whether both North and West Shore, or just North Shore works are approved by Welsh Government;

Penrhyn Bay – costing £5.185m;
Rhos-on-Sea – costing £13.4m; and an 11km stretch of coast between Llanddulas and Kinmel Bay costing £13.74m

If the entire Llandudno scheme is approved by Welsh Government, Conwy county council would foot the full £59,435,950 bill.
However Welsh Government would refund 85% (£50.5m) of the cost and Conwy would borrow the remaining 15% (£8.9m).

The £59.4m would equate to around 30% of the total funding being allocated by Welsh Government for similar sea defence projects across Wales.

Repayments would cost the council an estimated £212,809 or £371,775 per year over 50 years in capital expenditure, depending on whether interest rates were 1% or 1.5% respectively.

The cost of the scheme would drop by £16.1m overall if only part of the Llandudno scheme was approved by Welsh Government.

The council will also be seeking contributions from businesses that are going to benefit from the sea defence work.

Sea levels are predicted to rise 70cms over the next 100 years, acting flood risk and infrastructure manager Owen Conry told councillors.

more  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/18920602.59m-bolster-coastal-flood-defences-rhos-sea-llandudno/ (https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/18920602.59m-bolster-coastal-flood-defences-rhos-sea-llandudno/)

Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: norman08 on December 04, 2020, 09:44:23 pm
Where are Ccbc going to get all these millions from 🤔 The idiots can't raise the council tax that much , mind you these clowns would try.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Hugo on December 05, 2020, 03:08:49 pm
The CCBC has backed the plans to bolster the sea defences so I am assuming that the plans have been drawn up already and that the estimates have been based on those plans.
It would be reasonable if the plans were made available for the public to see and to comment on them because at the end of the day the ratepayers will be paying for them.
Does anyone know if these plans are available for the public to see them online?
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: norman08 on December 05, 2020, 04:54:53 pm
Hugo we are talking CCBC now, like the rocks on north shore that was done behind closed doors 😡 Have you noticed it's the residents that have moved here that think them rocks are the best flood defence,   About 3/4 years ago they had a drop in in the vic centre all different options, nothing has been heard since the guy that's behind the plans is Iwan Davies,s puppet.   I was in a meeting a few weeks ago with a county councilor and MP, the councillor put the case to him about that tidal thing for tou day here, didn't seem much interest from our MP, I will keep saying it Ccbc are hell bent on ruining Llandudno, none of them will come up with ideas for this town when we open up again after this virus.  😡
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Hugo on December 06, 2020, 12:56:10 pm
You are right Norman, it's only people who have recently moved here or are too young to remember both beaches as they were that could make such comments
Dumping quarry waste on a beach does nothing to prevent flooding and as for the West Shore, don't get me started on that.
We all want what is best for the long term future of the town but any plans for the Sea Defence should be transparent

We'll have to swap notes next time we meet because I've seen the CCBC Planning Committee in action this year and it's frightening      &shake&
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on January 12, 2021, 10:06:21 am
How many does it take ?       not to mention the     ££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££

North Wales 'super-council' plan could mean 'merger by the back door', critics fear
The Welsh Government's proposed new Regional Corporate Joint Committee would cover all six county council areas and the Snowdonia National Park Authority

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/north-wales-super-council-plan-19603521 (https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/north-wales-super-council-plan-19603521)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting.........council tax rise
Post by: SteveH on January 13, 2021, 01:52:26 pm
Conwy county council is proposing residents fund an extra 2.95 per cent in council tax towards the authority’s coffers from April.

The figure outlined in a report to its finance scrutiny committee and being discussed on Monday, show it is facing a shortfall of around £3.9m in 2021/22.

Efficiencies will account for £2.15m of that, with rest being funded by the new council tax increase.

Last year Conwy initially asked its 55,000 council tax payers to accept a massive 7 per cent hike but the council relented at the last minute, setting the increase at 4.95 per cent.

This year’s  proposed rise, 2 per cent lower than last year, would mean a Band D council tax payer paying a little more than 76p per week extra – or £39.64 a year.

cont   https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19007620.proposed-2-95-per-cent-council-tax-rise-conwy/ (https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19007620.proposed-2-95-per-cent-council-tax-rise-conwy/)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on January 15, 2021, 10:28:20 am
How many does it take ?       not to mention the     ££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££

North Wales 'super-council' plan could mean 'merger by the back door', critics fear
The Welsh Government's proposed new Regional Corporate Joint Committee would cover all six county council areas and the Snowdonia National Park Authority

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/north-wales-super-council-plan-19603521 (https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/north-wales-super-council-plan-19603521)

County councillors have savaged what they see as Welsh Government proposals to force local authority “amalgamation by the back door”.

Conwy council’s cabinet discussed its response to the proposed North Wales Regional Corporate Joint Committee (CJC), or so-called “super-council”, at its meeting on Wednesday.

The new unelected layer of government would sit above all six North Wales local authorities and Snowdonia National Park.

The seven authorities’ elected leaders would sit on the new committee with no requirement to run ideas before their respective bodies, nor any opportunity to veto plans that could damage their home organisation.

It would give the new committee power over planning issues, economic initiatives and regional transport – initially.

cont   https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19011623.super-council-idea-savaged-conwy-councillors/ (https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19011623.super-council-idea-savaged-conwy-councillors/)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Ian on January 15, 2021, 10:42:35 am
Yep;  just what we need.  Yet more meetings and talk.  I favour far fewer councils, anyway. There seems no advantages to the empire-building so characteristic of the average county council - for which we all pay.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on January 19, 2021, 01:51:44 pm
Plans to hike council tax in Conwy county by 2.95 per cent moved a step closer after the authority’s finance and resources scrutiny committee gave its blessing.

Last year, council tax payers were hit with a 4.95 per cent increase after initially being told to fork out 7 per cent more.

This year, the county’s tax rise could be one of the smaller ones in North Wales, with nearby Denbighshire proposing an extra 3.85 per cent on the charge and Gwynedd looking at a 3.9 per cent hike on last year’s premium.

cont  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19021589.conwys-proposed-council-tax-rise-passes-first-hurdle/ (https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19021589.conwys-proposed-council-tax-rise-passes-first-hurdle/)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on January 20, 2021, 01:37:39 pm
Leisure buildings across Conwy face £2.36m maintenance gap

Colwyn Bay leisure centre needs £1.68m spent on it alone, Abergele swimming pool another £282,000 and Llanrwst swimming pool £254,000 – for immediate, short and long-term repairs.

Llandudno Junction leisure centre needs more than £200,000 of work to get it up to scratch and Eirias tennis centre more than £94,000.

The report to councillors said: “Visual condition surveys of all our leisure facilities have recently been undertaken, and concluded that many of the facilities require significant investment to bring them up to a fit-for-purpose standard.”

Eirias leisure centre, which needs the most money spending on it, has immediate problems with its roof which needs a programme of replacement costing £220,000 in total.

Engineers have also recommended removing water storage tanks from the roof area because of concerns about supporting steelwork.

New windows for the building will cost £135,000, a new sports hall floor will need £180,000 and new changing rooms, deemed “dated and less functional in terms of operation and staff ability to keep clean”, will set the council back a further £165,000 overall.

Sorting out the pool will cost £185,000, while new emergency lighting and fire alarm systems will cost £140,000 initially and almost £80,000 to maintain over the longer term.

full story https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19024870.leisure-buildings-across-conwy-face-2-36m-maintenance-gap/ (https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19024870.leisure-buildings-across-conwy-face-2-36m-maintenance-gap/)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on February 05, 2021, 12:33:23 pm
A council has been shortlisting applicants to fill a key £100,000 a-year role being vacated by its finance chief.

Conwy county council’s senior employment committee has been meeting today to assess five applicants seeking to replace retiring strategic director of finance and resources Andrew Kirkham, who is stepping down.

The salary scale for the successful applicant begins at £97,682, rising to £103,632 at the top of the range,  plus expenses and employee benefits – such as subsidised leisure membership and employee discounts on cinema, shopping and travel purchases.

The postholder could also be given relocation expenses, as well as other perks, including “a rapid access physiotherapy service” with specialist support for back and musculoskeletal problems. ? ?

They can also enjoy 33 days annual leave plus public holidays and the ability to bank up to eight days a year.

cont  (after you have had a sit down   &shake& )     https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19067812.conwy-county-borough-council-100k-finance-role-interviews-take-place/ (https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19067812.conwy-county-borough-council-100k-finance-role-interviews-take-place/)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH 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/ (https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19114855.tackling-ash-dieback-conwy-estimated-cost-23-million/)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH 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 (https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/councils-weakening-case-not-charging-19959875)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH 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/ (https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19136884.conwy-council-tax-rise-passed-amid-row-heavy-mob-councillors/)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH 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/ (https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19139393.members-reluctant-go-compulsory-purchase-order-route-comes-abergeles-kinmel-hall/)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH 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 (https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/heres-how-much-north-wales-20036988)
Title: Re: CCBC
Post by: SteveH 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 (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)
Title: Re: CCBC
Post by: SteveH 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 (https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19301280.conwy-county-council-elects-new-leader/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH 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/ (https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19323959.conwy-council-libraries-strategy-goes-consultation/)
Title: Re: CCBC Conwy Bereavement Services
Post by: SteveH 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.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting....next UK City of Culture ?
Post by: SteveH 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/ (https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/conwy/19378980.conwy-council-set-make-expression-interest-uk-city-culture-2025/)
Title: Re: CCBC .............public consultation on libraries
Post by: SteveH 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 (http://www.conwy.gov.uk/librarystrategy) or request a paper copy at your nearest library or call 01492 576139.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH 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
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH 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
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: norman08 on July 21, 2021, 05:32:03 pm
Well catrefi took on all the Conwy housing stock.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Bri Roberts 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.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: norman08 on July 21, 2021, 10:15:17 pm
Yes Brian the tenants voted for catrefi to take over the stock after being promised loads, many are sorry.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Bri Roberts on July 22, 2021, 06:55:35 am
Surely they were only promised their homes would be brought up to a higher standard and they were?

I should declare I was a board member and at the time of my resignation I was chair of development.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on July 30, 2021, 01:58:34 pm
A discussion about the impact of unregulated accommodation raised strong emotions with one councillor accusing local authorities of “neglecting their duties” by not inspecting Air BnB properties.

Conwy county council’s economy and place scrutiny committee meeting heard a report from officer John Merrick which highlighted the growth of Air BnB properties in the county from 135 in 2016 to 1,627 in 2019.

Councillors heard Welsh Government was looking at whether to implement a recommendation, contained in a Gwynedd council report on holiday homes, which suggested implementing a mandatory licensing scheme for them, similar to one introduced for homes of multiple occupation (HMOs).

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19479811.council-discussion-air-bnbs-gets-heated/ (https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19479811.council-discussion-air-bnbs-gets-heated/)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on August 16, 2021, 09:41:36 am
A council is advertising for an “empty homes officer” as it bids to help solve the housing crisis.

Conwy county council has advertised the £30,451 role nationally on a three-year fixed-term contract.

The new postholder will be tasked with working with “the development teams of local housing associations, private landlords and empty home owners” on bringing empty properties back into use.

According to the authority’s five-year local housing strategy released in 2018, more than 1,600 homes had been empty for six months or more, but it has since said around 1,000 of those are genuinely long term.

More than 1,400 homes are second homes used for holidays, putting the county in the top 20 for second homes in the UK.

cont  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19515495.empty-homes-officer-help-solve-housing-crisis-employed-conwy-council/ (https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19515495.empty-homes-officer-help-solve-housing-crisis-employed-conwy-council/)
Title: Re: CCBC Latest planning applications
Post by: SteveH on August 25, 2021, 10:06:24 am
Conwy Planning Applications

THE following planning applications have been registered with Conwy County Borough Council between Monday, August 16 and Sunday, August 22.

cont   https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19534200.latest-planning-applications-registered-denbighshire-conwy-councils/ (https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19534200.latest-planning-applications-registered-denbighshire-conwy-councils/)
Title: Re: CCBC Latest planning applications
Post by: SteveH on September 01, 2021, 10:00:02 am
Conwy Planning Applications
THE following planning applications have been registered with Conwy County Council between Monday, August 16 and Sunday, August 22.

https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19548077.latest-planning-applications-registered-denbighshire-conwy-councils/?ref=rss&IYA-mail=a05105fc-304d-4c50-9807-edab51f779a4 (https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19548077.latest-planning-applications-registered-denbighshire-conwy-councils/?ref=rss&IYA-mail=a05105fc-304d-4c50-9807-edab51f779a4)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on September 02, 2021, 10:16:10 am
Conwy County Borough Council is digitally transforming its business management and finance systems, which are used by thousands of employees, after awarding a contract to enterprise SaaS provider software company TechnologyOne.

The Welsh unitary authority, which employs over 4,400 people and provides 118,000 residents with services ranging from education, leisure facilities, social services, waste management and highways maintenance, will replace on-site legacy systems that date back many years and switch to new state-of-the-art OneCouncil Software as a Service (SaaS).

The move to the new software will help the council improve real-time financial decision making and business reporting.

TechnologyOne’s SaaS technology will provide hundreds of managers and council executives with fully integrated, modern financial and business management tools, including general ledger, accounts payable, purchase to pay, expense management, procurement and financial reporting. The new system also includes additional modules for budget forecasting and asset management, which are currently managed on spreadsheets.

cont  https://www.wales247.co.uk/conwy-council-invests-in-the-cloud-to-run-services?IYA-reg=a05105fc-304d-4c50-9807-edab51f779a4 (https://www.wales247.co.uk/conwy-council-invests-in-the-cloud-to-run-services?IYA-reg=a05105fc-304d-4c50-9807-edab51f779a4)
Title: Re: CCBC Planning applications
Post by: SteveH on September 20, 2021, 10:14:55 am
Latest planning applications registered with Denbighshire and Conwy councils

One of the local applications......
Unit C (Part) Mostyn Champneys Retail Park Charlotte Road Llandudno LL30 1RY
Proposed change of use from private pedestrian walkway to external private pedestrian seating area for use in association with adjacent permitted coffee shop (REF 0/47485), Unit C (Part), Mostyn Champneys Retail Park, Charlotte Road, Llandudno, LL30 1RY

cont/ Conwy's applications lower down in the article......

https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19586411.latest-planning-applications-registered-denbighshire-conwy-councils/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=a05105fc-304d-4c50-9807-edab51f779a4 (https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19586411.latest-planning-applications-registered-denbighshire-conwy-councils/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=a05105fc-304d-4c50-9807-edab51f779a4)
Title: Re: CCBC ............ New Boundaries
Post by: SteveH on September 27, 2021, 02:54:28 pm
The Welsh Government has approved moves which will see Conwy county lose four of its county councillors.  ref pioneer

Ministers have approved the county’s new electoral map which will come into force in time for May’s local elections.

With the number of councillors being slashed from 59 to 55, it will also mean the merging of some wards while the boundaries of others will be altered.

Resulting in an average of 1,625 voters per councillor, the number of wards will be reduced from 38 to 30 with 17 of those being multi-member wards.

As a result, 10 wards will elect two councillors, six wards will elect three councillors, and one ward (Llandrillo yn Rhos) will elect four councillors.

Despite this, 18 current wards will see no change under these reforms, namely: Betws yn Rhos, Bryn, Colwyn, Conwy, Craig-y-Don, Deganwy, Eirias, Glyn, Kinmel Bay,  Llansanffraid, Llansannan, Llysfaen, Mochdre, Pandy, Penrhyn , Towyn, Tudno, Uwch Conwy.

The council leader, Charlie McCoubrey said: “We note the new arrangements as outlined in the Commission’s Final Recommendations Report.

“Our electoral team are now working to implement the changes in preparation for the next Local Government elections, which take place in May 2022.”

Those included using the ward name of Betws-yn-Rhos rather than Betws yn Rhos, Craig-y-Don rather than Craig-y-don and Pen-sarn Pentre Mawr instead of the recommended Pensarn Pentre Mawr.

Shereen Williams MBE OStJ, Chief Executive of the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales said: “I’m delighted that the Welsh Government has accepted these recommendations with only minor modifications.

“These changes will mean greater electoral parity for the people of Conwy.

“I’d like to thank everyone who contributed to the review, the members of the public, councillors, Conwy Council, and everyone else who sent us a representation or contributed in any other way.”

The Boundary Commission’s full proposals can be found at: https://ldbc.gov.wales/reviews/05-19/conwy-final-recommendations


Conwy Final Recommendations   https://ldbc.gov.wales/reviews/05-19/conwy-final-recommendations

Title: Re: CCBC Planning applications
Post by: SteveH on October 01, 2021, 10:07:44 am
Planning applications registered by Conwy County Borough Council up to September 26
Your Conwy County Borough Council lanning news

28 September 2021

https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/planning-applications-registered-by-conwy-county-borough-council-up-to-september-26/ (https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/planning-applications-registered-by-conwy-county-borough-council-up-to-september-26/)
Title: Re: Council costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on October 07, 2021, 10:09:17 am
Warning of bumper council tax rises to meet Government promises
Council tax may need to rise by up to 5% a year for the next three years to keep services running and pay for social care reforms, an influential think tank has warned.
7 October 2021

Council tax may need to rise by up to 5% a year for the next three years to keep services running and pay for social care reforms, an influential think tank has warned.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) ? ....said that under current Government spending plans, a rise of at least 3.6% on council tax bills will be needed per year just for town halls to keep services running at the levels seen before the coronavirus pandemic.

But the researchers said this would likely be a minimum requirement, with extra cost pressures and demand potentially meaning bills could rise by up to 5% every year up to 2024/25.

And they said social care aims announced by the Government last month are currently underfunded and would cost £5 billion a year in the long term – almost three times the additional funding allocated over the next three years.

cont https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/warning-of-bumper-council-tax-rises-to-meet-government-promises/ (https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/warning-of-bumper-council-tax-rises-to-meet-government-promises/)
Title: Re:The terrifying future of Wales' decimated councils
Post by: SteveH on October 24, 2021, 11:02:30 am
An in depth Sunday article, well worth reading...........

The terrifying future of Wales' decimated councils, where millions are being lost each month and broken staff are in short supply
They were already 'cut to the bone' and then the pandemic struck


"Cut to the bone".

"Under huge pressure"

"At tipping point".

They are all phrases which were all used to describe the state of Wales' councils before March 2020. And then the pandemic hit.

Overnight the revenue on which councils rely, from things like parking, tourism, museums or music venues stopped and the costs of the services they needed to provide skyrocketed.

The shops and hospitality venues which pay business rates closed their doors, many, like Debenhams, never to reopen, those who needed help to pay their council tax increased.

The statutory services councils have to offer remained obligatory, and probably more crucial than ever before, and the emergency plans they need in place for things like flooding still had to be up to date.

But the older and sick people still needed care in their homes, and still needed food delivering to their door. Schools still needed to teach. The children who only get a hot meal because they are at school still needed that food. The museums and libraries still had valuable stock to protect. The pandemic changed the regulations pubs, taxis and venues had to adhere to - which councils enforce - often dramatically and at short notice.

And, on top of providing all the services they always have, there were new demands. How do you ensure all bins still get emptied when you need three refuse collectors to socially distance inside a lorry cab? How do you get meals or vouchers to every child who needed them? How can social care be delivered in private homes when the advice was to stay apart? The list went on.

Councils are the biggest employers in their areas, so responding to all those and more had to be done while getting thousands of staff set up to work remotely.

Not one of Wales' 22 councils will have held a meeting in the last 11 years where money - and the lack of it - has not come up.

Story and 52 comments   https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/terrifying-future-wales-decimated-councils-21894603?IYA-reg=a05105fc-304d-4c50-9807-edab51f779a4#comments-wrapper (https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/terrifying-future-wales-decimated-councils-21894603?IYA-reg=a05105fc-304d-4c50-9807-edab51f779a4#comments-wrapper)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Dave on October 24, 2021, 01:34:32 pm
Is the reason councils are struggling to maintain levels of service down to the fact that much of their income goes on paying out pensions?
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Bri Roberts on October 24, 2021, 01:51:57 pm
and repayments on all the PFI’s they signed up to.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on October 25, 2021, 02:58:44 pm
HOLIDAY home owners will not get discount on their council tax in Conwy.

Conwy County Borough Council met last week to discuss the level of council tax discount for holiday homes as well as unoccupied and unfurnished properties.

A report revealed Conwy has 57,704 dwellings, of which 1,533 fall into class A or B homes, usually described as second homes or holiday homes. Class C homes are homes that are either unoccupied or unfurnished. Conwy has 979 of these class C properties. Councils have discretion to grant up to 50% council tax discount.

cont  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19670336.conwy-no-council-tax-discount-holiday-home-owners/ (https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19670336.conwy-no-council-tax-discount-holiday-home-owners/)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Dave on October 25, 2021, 05:35:55 pm
I see no reason whatsoever for giving second home owners a discount of any kind whatsoever!
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on November 04, 2021, 02:56:52 pm
FEWER than 20 people were recorded to have worked at the Welsh Government's office in Llandudno Junction on a daily basis during August and September.

The statistics, obtained by an FOI request, show that while 390 people are presently contracted to work at the £23million building, the average daily attendance level for September was recorded as 18 people.

This number was an increase on the 16 people who attended the site daily in August, when the Welsh Government moved Coronavirus restrictions to Alert Level Zero.

The office, which opened off Narrow Lane in 2010, received about £916,000 of maintenance work and repairs between 2017 and 2020, about £543,000 of which has been spent since the 2017/2018 financial year. About £2,246,000 had been spent on building maintenance during its first seven years.

cony  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19693959.aberconwy-ms-calls-government-plan-staff-return-llandudno-junction-office/ (https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19693959.aberconwy-ms-calls-government-plan-staff-return-llandudno-junction-office/)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on November 16, 2021, 01:53:18 pm
Decision to cut council tax premium on second homes causes anger amid housing 'crisis'
Councillors in Conwy voted to revoke an earlier council decision to charge second home owners a 50% premium

The vote also recommended that owners of long-term empty properties should pay a council tax premium of 50%.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/decision-cut-council-tax-premium-22173814 (https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/decision-cut-council-tax-premium-22173814)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on November 18, 2021, 03:14:54 pm
Conwy’s schools could face an unplanned bill of up to £350,000 unless council tax payers pick up the tab for a teachers’ pay rise.

The council’s finance and resources overview scrutiny committee met this week to discuss the council’s budgetary position.

It was revealed that Conwy County Council already faces a projected overspend of £1.65m, which includes a £550,000 bill for a teachers’ pay increase of 1.75 per cent from September this year.

The Welsh Government has announced it will provide £6.4m across Wales to support local authorities to fund part of the pay rise. Whilst Conwy is yet to find out its exact allocation, it’s expected to be in the region of £200,000, leaving a shortfall of between £330,000- £350,000.

cont  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19725411.unplanned-350k-bill-conwy-schools-cover-pay-rise-teachers/ (https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19725411.unplanned-350k-bill-conwy-schools-cover-pay-rise-teachers/)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: norman08 on November 19, 2021, 08:31:36 am
Here we go again that time of year when this useless council try and justify the CT rise, maybe if they didn't waste Our money they would have this money in the budget.
Title: Re: CCBC ..........Welsh businesses to share £45m Covid recovery pot
Post by: SteveH on November 23, 2021, 09:15:10 am
Welsh businesses to share £45m Covid recovery pot to support growth and train up key sector workers
Welsh Government Economy minister Vaughan Gething announced the extra money to support SMEs in Wales

Administered by local authorities, it provides an opportunity to kick-start and grow the economy following the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic and the UK’s departure from the EU.

Businesses will be invited to identify ways in which investment will help them re-launch their business, develop it in innovative new ways, and create new jobs.

cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/welsh-businesses-share-45m-covid-22244621 (https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/welsh-businesses-share-45m-covid-22244621)

comment...."Looks like a “mayonnaise” policy spending dribs and drabs to little effect vs. Targeted investment…" ? ?
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on November 24, 2021, 02:46:25 pm
CONWY council will decide on whether to introduce a 50 per cent premium on second homes amidst a divide in support for the measure.

Conwy County Borough Council members will be asked to decide on the level of council tax premium on second homes and long-term empty homes for 2022/23 over the next few weeks.

The premium is designed to encourage owners to bring empty properties into use and support the increase of affordable housing for purchase or let in local communities.

cont  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19737777.conwy-councillors-vote-50-per-cent-second-home-tax-premium/ (https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19737777.conwy-councillors-vote-50-per-cent-second-home-tax-premium/)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on November 30, 2021, 09:41:46 am
Coastal path storm damage threatens A55 unless council stump up for repairs
The public right of way has been hindered by a breach in the sea wall, leaving homes more vulnerable to flooding

Urgent repair work will be carried out by the council at a Llanfairfechan coastal path – costing Conwy £275K.

Although Conwy is not responsible for the area of the coastal path, the public right of way was badly cracked and damaged in a storm on October 5, causing a breach in the sea wall.

But the owner of this part of the path near West Shore Road is unknown, and the land is unregistered, meaning it’s difficult to recover the costs.

At a virtual meeting this week, cabinet members voted to carry out urgent repairs as the damage leaves several properties on West Shore Road vulnerable to flooding.

If the work is not carried out, the council also warned the size of the breach will worsen, increasing the cost of the repair work, threatening the Holyhead railway line and the A55.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/coastal-path-storm-damage-threatens-22290626?IYA-reg=a05105fc-304d-4c50-9807-edab51f779a4 (https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/coastal-path-storm-damage-threatens-22290626?IYA-reg=a05105fc-304d-4c50-9807-edab51f779a4)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Ian on November 30, 2021, 10:34:44 am
Quote
But the owner of this part of the path near West Shore Road is unknown, and the land is unregistered, meaning it’s difficult to recover the costs.

In that case some enterprising person should set up a stall and sell bric-a-brac on it.  Soon find out who owned it then.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on November 30, 2021, 11:50:18 am
Quote
But the owner of this part of the path near West Shore Road is unknown, and the land is unregistered, meaning it’s difficult to recover the costs.

In that case some enterprising person should set up a stall and sell bric-a-brac on it.  Soon find out who owned it then.

That's a good idea, but what about putting in planning permission for 50 flats ?
Title: Re: CCBC .........Deganwy planning
Post by: SteveH on December 10, 2021, 03:15:48 pm
PLANS to create a pet crematorium in Deganwy has been approved, despite some concern.

The application to change the use of a former hay barn to two business units and a pet crematorium was submitted to Conwy County Borough Council by Mark Rutherford of Tyn Y Coed Farm.

The proposal was approved with conditions on December10.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on January 19, 2022, 01:05:38 pm
SCRUTINY Committee members of Conwy County Borough Council will convene on Monday, January 24 to discuss the provisional settlement for the 2022-23 budget for the area.

Speaking ahead of the finance and resources overview to take pace, Councillor Brian Cossey, Conwy’s cabinet member for finance, said: “Since Welsh Government published their funding for local government on 21 December, our finance team have been working on the provisional figures to produce a detailed report for councillors to discuss.

“As it currently stands, Conwy will receive a 9.5 per cent increase in funding from Welsh Government.
“This is certainly a good settlement in comparison with previous years.”

“Nonetheless, we’re currently looking at a resource shortfall of £7.4million, and with the continuing pandemic and its impact on our communities, inflation and interest rate increases, we’ll still need to make some difficult and challenging decisions when setting the 2022-23 budget.”

Conwy’s final settlement is expected to be announced by the Welsh Government on March 1.

The council will meet on March 3 to finalise and agree the budget for 2022-23.        ref Pioneer
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: norman08 on January 19, 2022, 02:20:31 pm
If you can get to that decision meeting it is an eye opener 👀  The Tory lot bullying at its best, the cabinet already know the Figure near enough what they are looking at.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on January 21, 2022, 10:00:11 am
A COUNCILLOR wants Conwy County Borough Council to support more businesses in the area in order to tackle the climate emergency.

In May 2019, Conwy councillors unanimously declared a climate emergency and tasked officers to draw up plans to reduce the council's carbon footprint.

Llanrwst councillor Aaron Wynne wants the Council to "buy local" to support businesses and help tackle the climate emergency.
Cllr Wynne wants the council to adopt a new procurement plan to buy more goods and services from Conwy and North Wales-based businesses.

He said: "In order for Conwy Council to reach its goal of carbon neutrality by 2030, the authority must do more to buy local.
"It doesn't make economic or environmental sense to buy from businesses outside of Conwy and North Wales.
“From tradespeople to fill in the potholes, to local food and drink vendors to stock Venue Cymru, and local farmers to provide school meals.

“We should be buying local at every opportunity.

"Conwy Council should adopt a new local procurement policy prioritising buying goods and services from local businesses, both to support local jobs and to help save the planet."

It was confirmed that Conwy’s audit committee will be reviewing the council’s procurement policy in April.    ref pioneer
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Cambrian on January 21, 2022, 11:37:48 am
Let's hope Councils etc outside Conwy don't follow his lead as it could adversely affect our local producers and businesses who sell goods and services outside the area!
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: DaveR on January 25, 2022, 10:26:53 am
Perhaps CCBC could start by switching off lights that are left on in their buildings when no-one is present?
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on January 25, 2022, 10:42:32 am
Many years ago, a friend of mine worked in a newly constructed four story government building, part of his duties was to arrive early and switch the power to the lighting system for the entire building......... he was one of a dozen people who worked in one office.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on January 26, 2022, 09:51:56 am
CONWY’s cabinet has supported plans to submit multi-million pound funding bids to the UK Government.

The UK Government has announced a capital UK Levelling Up Fund available to each of its local authorities.

The fund is intended to support investment in places where it can make the biggest difference to everyday life, and is designed to help areas select genuine priorities for investment.

At a meeting yesterday (January 25), Conwy’s cabinet discussed the proposals and supported submitting bids to the UK Levelling Up Fund.

The development of the proposal for Clwyd West is the furthest advanced, to carry out phase two of the Parc Eirias project, to increase the capacity of the stadium to attract larger sporting and cultural events  cont...

Further details in this report, covering other proposals ............
https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19875063.conwy-county-borough-council-cabinet-support-bid-funding/?ref=rss&IYA-mail=a05105fc-304d-4c50-9807-edab51f779a4 (https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19875063.conwy-county-borough-council-cabinet-support-bid-funding/?ref=rss&IYA-mail=a05105fc-304d-4c50-9807-edab51f779a4)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on February 02, 2022, 01:54:37 pm
Conwy County Council is facing another difficult financial year, says its cabinet member for finance, despite an increase in the Welsh Government settlement.

A recent council report revealed Conwy has a debt of £161m, and whilst this level of lending is not unusual for public authorities, the council already faces numerous challenges ahead of the new financial year.

Last week Denbighshire County Council came under fire after it raised council tax by 2.95 per cent for the next financial year, as Gwynedd also proposed raising council tax by the same percentage.

Whilst Conwy won’t set its council tax until March for 2022/2023, Conwy’s cabinet member for finance, revenue and benefits Cllr Brian Cossey predicted another tough year ahead – even if the pressure of the pandemic abates.

“We have tried to keep council tax as low as possible,” said Cllr Cossey.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19892893.we-tried-keep-council-tax-low-possible--says-conwy-council-cabinet-member/ (https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19892893.we-tried-keep-council-tax-low-possible--says-conwy-council-cabinet-member/)
Title: Re: CCBC .ELECTIONS
Post by: SteveH on February 08, 2022, 01:52:14 pm
CONWY Borough Council have announced elections will take place on Thursday, 5 May for residents to elect Councillors for the next five years.

The elections will take place alongside elections for Town and Community Council panels.
The nomination period for candidates for the County Borough elections will start on Tuesday, 22 March.

For those with an interest in standing for election, the Council have arranged briefing sessions in order to provide as much support and information as possible.

Hosted via Zoom, the briefing sessions will be on Tuesday, 15 February (5pm to 6.30pm) and Thursday, 17 February (5pm to 6.30pm).

To book your place at one of these sessions please email member.services@conwy.gov.uk.

If you are not online and would like more information about becoming a councillor, please phone (01492) 576065.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on February 10, 2022, 10:18:30 am
Conwy’s cabinet unanimously voted to increase council tax by 3.95% to generate an extra £2.3m to help balance the council’s books for the new financial year.

The cabinet plans to raid council reserves and make cuts across the board to recover a shortfall of £7.4m.

It’s also proposed that services – including schools – will be forced to make cuts of 1.5% to generate over £3m.

Whilst Conwy had a 9.5% percentage rise in its settlement from Welsh Government, the council has more responsibilities and costs to cover.

cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/warning-conwy-services-cut-bone-23043175?IYA-mail=a05105fc-304d-4c50-9807-edab51f779a4 (https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/warning-conwy-services-cut-bone-23043175?IYA-mail=a05105fc-304d-4c50-9807-edab51f779a4)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on February 22, 2022, 09:47:29 am
Conwy's bill for placing homeless people in temporary accommodation has doubled in the last year.

Now there are calls for a change in the way homelessness is dealt with, both in terms of national policies and at council level.

Conwy currently has the fourth highest number of people living in temporary accommodation in Wales, with 1,643 people waiting on the housing register.

A freedom of information request has also revealed that Conwy spent £2.5m last year alone providing temporary accommodation to the homeless - a figure which doubled from the previous year’s £1.2m.

The council says it has 547 people - or 285 households - in all forms of temporary accommodation, including 144 households in emergency accommodation.

All local authorities are required to find suitable long-term accommodation for anyone in temporary housing.

cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/families-living-hotels-months-cost-23165715 (https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/families-living-hotels-months-cost-23165715)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on February 24, 2022, 09:21:27 am
Conwy must deliver mobile home pitches for 'travelling show people', says report
The council will now submit the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment to the Welsh Government

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/conwy-must-deliver-mobile-home-23191493 (https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/conwy-must-deliver-mobile-home-23191493)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on March 03, 2022, 03:25:58 pm
MEMBERS of Conwy County Borough Council have today (March 3) set the council tax and budget for 2022-23.

Councillor Brian Cossey, cabinet member for finance, revenue and benefits, introduced the report to the meeting of the council.

Councillors supported the recommendation that the council’s part of the Band D council tax for 2022-23 be £1438.15, which is an increase of £54.65 for the year - equivalent to £1.05 extra per week.

Cllr Cossey said: "Financial planning is a continuous process in Conwy, and services and portfolio holders have been preparing for the estimated financial challenges for 2022-23.

“The consequences of the pandemic are far-reaching and have created significant demands on services, which despite a generous settlement from Welsh Government, has made addressing the resource shortfall difficult this year.

“Nonetheless, the £7.843million shortfall will be addressed by: reducing business cases; making budget reductions (service cuts, efficiencies and raising additional income); increasing council tax; and by using reserves and balances.

“However, despite these constraints, we’ve been able to allocate £11.7million within this budget for specific projects or areas of work, including free school meals, homelessness, social care, additional learning needs and mobile recycling centres.”

Conwy has about 55,000 dwellings subject to council tax, of which roughly 21,000 receive single person discount.

About 10,500 households are supported by the Council Tax Reduction Scheme (some of whom will also receive single person discount).

A link to the full report and appendices is available at: modgoveng.conwy.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=207&MId=8765.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on March 08, 2022, 10:22:15 am
Three separate planning applications for coastal and storm defence schemes will be considered by Conwy County Council’s planning committee on Wednesday.

The plans detail Colwyn Bay and Penrhyn Bay seafronts and the strengthening of the sea walls, as well as enhancing the promenades with new cycle paths and picnic areas.

Apart from better protecting the coast from storms, the council says the plans will enhance the visual appearance of the seafront whilst providing leisure amenities and improved lighting.

Conwy has applied for planning permission to construct a rock revetment, together with pedestrian and cycle access and public improvement works between Porth Eirias to Old Colwyn’s Splash Point.

The proposed rock revetment will be 32m in width and 630m in length.

But the plans, if they get the go-ahead, will also see the promenade regenerated, with new pedestrian beach access, including a ramp and a cycle path.

There will also be a "landscaped garden setting", an outdoor classroom area, parking provision, street furniture, lighting and a new "concession building".

What do you think of the coastal plans? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

A second application has also been submitted to improve Colwyn Bay’s flood defences, which include coastal works, promenade improvements and landscaping works.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/cycle-paths-picnic-areas-planned-23312297 (https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/cycle-paths-picnic-areas-planned-23312297)
Title: Re: CCBC ......................register to vote
Post by: SteveH on March 10, 2022, 01:01:39 pm
CONWY County Borough Council has encouraged anyone in the region not registered to vote to do so in order to take part in the authority’s elections in May.

Their callout comes on “Welcome To Your Vote Day” (March 10), with Conwy’s council elections due to take place on Thursday, May 5.

“You must be registered to vote by midnight on Thursday, April 14 to participate in these elections.

“You can register now at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote (http://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote) - it only takes five minutes.

“There are a number of ways to have your say in the election in May - you can vote at a polling station, by post, or by appointing someone you trust to vote on your behalf, which is known as a proxy vote.”

For more information about voting in elections in Wales, visit: www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voter (http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voter).
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on March 15, 2022, 10:23:58 am
Councillors in Conwy will receive a collective £146,000 pay rise – with the leader alone getting an extra £6,700 a year.

The democratic services committee voted in favour of a council report, detailing the increases that come into effect on May 9 after local government elections.

The increases are set by the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (IRPW), not the council itself.

But whilst the IRPW set the amount that can't be altered, councillors did have some control over paying top-ups for "civic salaries" for some additional roles.

Consequently, the chairs of Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Planning Committee, Governance and Audit Committee, General/Statutory Licensing Committee, and Democratic Services Committee all received a rise after councillors voted in favour of the increase

The changes mean a basic councillor salary will rise from £14,368 to £16,800 a year, but the leader will be paid £56,700 a year, rising from the old amount of £49,974 – an increase of £6,726.

The deputy leader will also receive £39,690, rising from £35,320 - an increase of £4,370.

Cabinet members will be paid £34,020, rising from £30,773 - an increase of £3,247, and committee chairs will receive £25,593, rising from £23,161 - an increase of £2,432.

Civic heads will also see their pay increase from £23,161 to £25,593, and the deputy Civic Head's salary will increase from £18,108 to £20,540.

Cllr Chris Cater proposed councillors voted in favour of the report, and Cllr Sue Shotter seconded it.

Seven councillors voted in favour; Councillors Phillip Evans and Sue Shotter abstained, and Cllr Harry Saville voted against the proposals.

cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/169-pay-rise-conwy-councillors-23386077?IYA-reg=a05105fc-304d-4c50-9807-edab51f779a4 (https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/169-pay-rise-conwy-councillors-23386077?IYA-reg=a05105fc-304d-4c50-9807-edab51f779a4)
Title: Re: CCBC The candidates in the running to be Conwy councillors
Post by: SteveH on April 07, 2022, 03:01:23 pm
Local elections: The candidates in the running to be Conwy councillors

CONWY County Borough Council has shared the names of those standing to represent each of its wards in next month’s local elections.

On Thursday, May 5, voters in the county will go to the polls, with those not yet registered to vote having until April 14 to do so.

The deadline to apply for postal and proxy votes are April 19 and April 26 respectively, at 5pm on both dates.

Iwan Davies, electoral registration officer at Conwy County Borough Council, said: “With only one week to go, time is running out to make sure you can take part in the elections on Thursday, May 5.

“These elections are an opportunity to have a say on who represents local people on issues that directly affect day-to-day life here in Conwy County Borough.

“But if you’re not registered by 14 April, you won’t be able to vote.”

Anyone not registered to vote at their current address can do so online at www.gov.uk/registertovote (http://www.gov.uk/registertovote).

Below is the full list of candidates for each ward:

LIST for each borough..... https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/20052273.local-elections-candidates-running-conwy-councillors/ (https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/20052273.local-elections-candidates-running-conwy-councillors/)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Cambrian on April 08, 2022, 07:24:37 pm
Seem to be around 20 sitting members not seeking re-election so there will be quite a few new faces in any event apart from a few who may lose their seats in any event.
Title: Re: CCBC ............Election results by wards
Post by: SteveH on May 07, 2022, 10:10:18 am
Election results by wards Conwy County
Local - Local Government Elections - Thursday, 5 May 2022

full list https://modgoveng.conwy.gov.uk/mgElectionElectionAreaResults.aspx?EID=105&RPID=20987798

Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Cambrian on May 07, 2022, 06:28:56 pm
Although there has not been much comment on here regarding the elections, it is perhaps interesting to note that many of the critical comments in the past have been about the ERF department.  The Tory Cabinet Member for this department lost his seat in Mostyn Gogarth and suffered the fate of being beaten in the voting not just by his two Tory colleagues but also by two Labour candidates and an Independent. 

The Tory Cabinet member for "Culture" also lost in the Blues' wipeout in the east of the Borough and the Independent Cabinet member for nebulous matters was defeated in Conwy Town.

There seem to be at least 29 new Councillors (out of 55) plus one retread, in the form of former Leader Dilwyn Roberts back, after a 5 year gap.

Although the Independents have the largest number, they have been in three separate groups.  The largest, Conwy First, seems to have survived although lost three through retirement and may gain some from newly elected Independents. The Smith Group lost two and the erstwhile Gareth Jones Group lost two both in the same ward one by retirement and the other a defector from the Tories who fancied his chance to replace the retiree.

It will be interesting to see who forms the new administration and whether the current Leader of the Council retains his position.
Title: Re: CCBC ...New cabinet and leader
Post by: SteveH on May 17, 2022, 03:05:59 pm
Conwy’s largest intake of new councillors will vote in a new cabinet and leader this week. The new council will convene for the first time on Thursday for the annual general meeting.

Twenty-six of the 54 councillors are new members and will attend the hybrid meeting, which takes place at Conwy County Council’s Boblondeb HQ. Either Cllr Abdul Khan or Conwy’s chief executive are expected to chair the meeting before a new chair and vice-chair are elected.

Political parties and groups within the council will then put forward candidates to be considered as leader, and members will vote on who they want at the helm. Once the leader is elected, he or she will then appoint their cabinet.

Cllr McCaffrey also said she was happy that the council had fresh blood. “I think this is the biggest intake of new councillors, with the highest number of female councillors in the history of Conwy,” she said.

“45% of councillors will be new, and 38% of councillors will be female! This is good news for democracy, which will now be more representative of our local communities where there are more women than men.

"New councillors bring more diverse perspectives and experiences. With a better balance of experience and fresh ideas, things can only get better. Change is good!”

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/former-conwy-council-leader-tipped-23971520 (https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/former-conwy-council-leader-tipped-23971520)
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Meleri on May 19, 2022, 03:42:38 pm
The results are out for CCBC new Leader & Councillor Charlie McCoubrey has been re-elected. The chair for CCBC is now Cllr Ivor Lloyd & Vice Chair Cllr Sue Shotter. Well done to you all  $walesflag$
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on May 20, 2022, 09:31:29 am
More on Meliri's above post.......                ref pioneer

In total, 26 of 54 councillors are new members and attended the hybrid meeting, which took place at the council’s Bodlondeb headquarters.

Cllr McCoubrey has also appointed the following councillors to his cabinet:

Cllr Emily Owen: Housing and Regulatory and Deputy Leader
Cllr Mike Priestley: Finance, Revenue and Benefits
Cllr Julie Fallon: Education
Cllr Liz Roberts: Children, Families and Safeguarding
Cllr Penny Andow: Integrated Adult and Community Services
Cllr Goronwy Edwards: Environment, Roads and Facilities – Infrastructure
Cllr Geoff Stewart: Environment, Roads and Facilities – Neighbourhood and the Environment
Cllr Aaron Wynne: Culture and Leisure
Cllr Chris Cater: Democracy and Governance
Cllr McCoubrey said: “This new cabinet is a coalition of 10 members: six members of the Conwy First Independent Group, two members of Welsh Labour and two from Plaid Cymru.

“In making these appointments, I have had the benefit of discussions with group Leaders and many members.

"I believe that I have been able to achieve an appropriate balance of political alignment, diversity, language and the geography of the county borough.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Cambrian on May 20, 2022, 10:20:28 am
Good to see that ERF has been divided between two Cabinet Members.  Hopefully this may be a precursor to dismantling this dysfunctional monolith of a department.  Seems to be lack of anyone dealing specifically with tourism and economic development.  The sole representative of the "old guard", Goronwy Edwards in back. It will be interesting to see how this cabinet develops given the potentially wide political differences between individual members. 
Title: Re: CCBC
Post by: SteveH on June 06, 2022, 12:58:16 pm
CONWY'S new cabinet member for housing has vowed to try to resolve the county's housing crisis and help young people get on the housing ladder.

Cllr Emily Owen, who is also the deputy leader, was appointed cabinet member for housing by re-elected leader Cllr Charlie McCoubrey last month.

Cllr Owen admitted she didn?t have immediate answers but said she had firm ideas about the areas she wants to improve over the next five years.

As a tourist area with a high proportion of elderly people, Conwy has a disproportionate gap between house prices and wages. As the tourist industry and care sector often pay lower wages, this situation is worsened by older people wanting to retire here, driving up house prices.

Conwy also has a homelessness crisis with over 1,600 waiting on the housing register ? the fourth highest in Wales. Conwy also spent ?2.5m on temporary accommodation for the homeless last year, double the figure of the previous year.

Cllr Owen says she realises the size of the task before her and has handed her notice in at her trade union job to concentrate on her role full-time.

cont  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/20189416.conwy-vow-help-young-people-get-housing-ladder/
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on June 13, 2022, 02:16:14 pm
CONWY County Borough Council is highlighting the assistance available to owners of empty properties, including commercial premises, to help unlock housing potential.

Conwy has around 1,700 households on its waiting list for all types of properties, with all of these households in a housing need.

At any one time, the county has around 2,500 privately owned, empty properties, with many of these temporarily empty and coming back into use within a few months.

Yet more than 1,500 remain empty for longer than six months and some for many years, whilst many households are struggling to find affordable accommodation in the area.

The Council?s Empty Homes Officers are encouraging empty property owners to get in touch to find out about the help that could be available to bring the wasted resource of these empty properties back into use.

The Council has an interest-free property improvement loan of up to ?35,000 available for properties that have been empty for six months or more which need work to enable them to be sold or let at the end of refurbishment.

READ MORE:  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/20205719.council-highlight-need-turn-empty-properties-homes/


Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: cygnusx-1 on June 13, 2022, 06:56:25 pm
Maybe Conwy Council could use the reception area of Coed Pella which has not been occupied for 2 years and appears to be a wasted resource?!!
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on June 15, 2022, 09:46:44 am
CONWY County Borough Council?s cabinet has supported plans to submit multi-million pound funding bids to the UK Government.

The UK Government has announced a capital UK Levelling Up Fund available to each local authority in the UK.

The fund is intended to support investment in places where it can make the biggest difference to everyday life, and is designed to help areas select genuine priorities for investment.

At a meeting today (June 14), the council?s cabinet discussed the proposals and supported submitting bids to the UK Levelling Up Fund.

read more....... https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/20209738.conwy-county-borough-councils-cabinet-supports-bid-funding/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on July 04, 2022, 01:31:52 pm
CONWY'S lack of affordable housing is worsened by a shortage of suitable sites for construction, says the council?s leader.

Conwy County Council struggles to find suitable plots for housing, due to much of the county?s land existing on a flood plain or being in a protected area.

The current Local Development Plan (LDP) ? the plan that plots what development can go where for a five-year period ? is due to finish this year (2017-2022), and the new plan will go out to public consultation in early 2023.

Conwy?s leader says the council is now looking at council-owned land that can be used for development.

?Unfortunately, Conwy has got the second-highest number of people in private rental properties (in Wales),? he said.

?So we rely heavily on the private sector, and obviously prices are going up and up and up, which creates an awful lot of pressure. We need to build more affordable houses, but that is a challenge in Conwy.

Read more  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/20254008.conwy-leader-lifts-lid-challenges-providing-affordable-housing/
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting.......Colwyn Bay
Post by: SteveH on July 21, 2022, 09:56:36 am
Major investment transformed 'iconic' building's fortunes but it still lies empty
The Longman property was designed by renowned architect Sidney Colwyn Foulkes in the heart of Colwyn Bay

A council is bidding to fill a prominent building that has been regenerated in a major town centre scheme but is still lying empty. The Longman property was designed by renowned architect Sidney Colwyn Foulkes in the heart of Colwyn Bay in 1930 and became stylish department store Dando?s at a time Colwyn Bay was booming thanks to the holiday trade.

The Grade II-listed building later became a discount store and the property?s decline reflected the downward spiral of the seaside town. But its fortunes were transformed in a regeneration project by Colwyn Bay Townscape Heritage Initiative, backed by Conwy council, Welsh Government and EU cash.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/major-investment-transformed-iconic-buildings-24546144?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting...Porth Eirias parking charges
Post by: SteveH on July 23, 2022, 09:53:17 am
Council to introduce car park charges at Porth Eirias in Colwyn Bay
Conwy County Borough Council has appointed Creative Car Park Ltd to manage the customer parking

Conwy County Borough Council has appointed Creative Car Park Ltd to manage the customer parking. They said it was being put in place to help users of the restaurant, retail offer and watersports activities at Porth Eirias access parking spaces at the building?s car park.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/council-introduce-car-park-charges-24564290
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Helig on July 26, 2022, 10:54:51 am
I found this on What do They Know? It looks like one to watch. I shall be keeping an eye on the reply as the information should be interesting.

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/council_spending_on_sea_defences#incoming-2084390
Title: Re: CCBC is less open
Post by: SteveH on July 27, 2022, 10:09:13 am
CONWY County Council is less open, transparent, and democratic than neighbouring authorities when appointing committee chairs, says a concerned councillor.

Cllr Harry Saville criticised Conwy for the way it appoints chairs for its various scrutiny committees.

In the past, chairs of the committees were elected by other members, but this civic year they have been appointed by the leader and deputy leader.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/20578623.conwy-council-less-open-transparent-democratic/
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: norman08 on July 27, 2022, 02:59:05 pm
Poor Harry didn?t get a cabinet post or a chair on one of the committees so he?s crying 🥲.  Bless him, their is a good sensible reason for the way this has been brought about.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on July 28, 2022, 03:27:49 pm
North Wales council chief to step down - with search on to fill ?130K role
Chief executive Iwan Davies is to retire after more than a decade in the job

Conwy will advertise the role of chief executive next week after Iwan Davies announced he was stepping down. Mr Davies has been in the role for more than a decade and has spent 29 years working in local government.

The local authority will now look for a new chief - who will pocket a salary of at least ?129K. Conwy?s senior employment committee excluded the press and public to discuss the matter behind closed doors this afternoon.

According to council figures, the chief executive?s salary is between ?129,195 and ?137,103, taking into account yearly increments, with pension contributions of around ?27K. The committee is responsible for agreeing the details around the new appointment and is expected to finalise the recruitment details today.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/north-wales-council-chief-step-24610796

Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Helig on July 29, 2022, 10:27:21 am
Gone are the days when local government employees were paid a reasonable amount for their office. It seems to be a case of how much they can get away with these days. An MP's salary is ?84,144. This makes for interesting reading:

https://www.taxpayersalliance.com/town_hall_rich_list_2022

The words fat and cat come to mind.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on August 27, 2022, 09:57:52 am
Conwy councillor criticises speed limit changes and urges action on housing crisis
26th August

Read more https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/20775909.conwy-councillor-criticises-speed-limit-changes-urges-action-housing-crisis/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on September 10, 2022, 10:14:52 am
Not mentioned below, are the running costs and underuse of the Council offices in Colwyn Bay ? perhaps this post should be in the Incompetence thread.


CONWY County Council could face a shortfall of 18.5m in the next financial year, impacting on services across the board.

Councillors met as part of the finances and resources overview and scrutiny committee to discuss planning the budget for 2023/24, voting for a review of services to avoid a salami slice approach.

But proposals for a public consultation regarding service cuts and council tax were thrown out after a second vote, following talks of a 6% council tax rise.

The final decision, though, will lie with cabinet once the debate and processes are complete.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/21223238.conwy-council-facing-18-5m-shortfall/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589


WELSH Government has been criticised for the newly revealed running costs and underuse of their buildings in Llandudno Junction

The building in Llandudno Junction was part of a 91.5 million strategy to decentralise services from Cardiff in 2002, with more than 550 posts moved from the Welsh capital to three new offices in Merthyr Tydfil, Aberystwyth and Llandudno Junction.

The construction of the Conwy building reportedly cost around ?23million, and despite having more than 390 people contracted to work there, recorded an average daily attendance level of 18 people last September.

Rebecca Evans MS, Minister for Finance and Local Government, has disclosed the average monthly running costs for the Llandudno Junction office for the 2020/21 and 2021/22 financial years are as follows:

2020/21 - ?136,895
2021/22 - ?130,967

Commenting on the running costs, Aberconwy MS Janet Finch-Saunders said: ?The figures mean that around ?1.6million was spent on running costs in 2020/21 and ?1.5m in 2021/22, a time that saw hybrid working and as little as 18 people attending the buildings daily.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/21119804.aberconwy-ms-slams-government-conwy-buildings-costs/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on September 29, 2022, 09:58:27 am
Conwy Council warns it could cut jobs, raise tax and slash services to balance the books
The authority faces the prospect of plugging a huge ?18.5m funding gap in what has been described as the most difficult financial year in memory

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/conwy-council-warns-could-cut-25128924?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: norman08 on September 29, 2022, 03:31:46 pm
So as well as truss making a mess of the country her mates at Ccbc did the same,  yes it was the Tory led cabinet last time.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on October 14, 2022, 10:07:48 am
Conwy's plan to 'rapidly rehouse' homeless people
The county council wants to offer support to those in need and it aims to end youth homelessness

A new "rapid re-housing" strategy to help to help vulnerable homeless people has been backed by Conwy Council's cabinet. and will now go out to consultation. The report ? the Draft Housing Support Programme - outlined how Conwy could deliver a high-quality housing support service around the needs of those who find themselves homeless or at risk ? with an emphasis on rapid housing.

Earlier this year figures revealed that Conwy had the fourth-highest number of people living in temporary accommodation in Wales. The new strategy is aimed to help people suffering from problems such as complex needs, domestic abuse, and addiction.

Priorities include rapid rehousing to homeless prevention, ending youth homelessness, and increasing the availability of services for offenders. The strategy also sets out a commitment to helping those with complex needs and additional services for people fleeing domestic abuse.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/conwys-plan-rapidly-rehouse-homeless-25241923
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on October 22, 2022, 10:34:36 am
Conwy council facing 'perilous' budget situation as members are told to 'prepare for the worst'
Leader Charlie McCoubrey said he would get committee chairs and vice chairs together to see where savings could be made 
{reduce the number of committee chairs and vice chairs ? }

The savings, he said, could include pausing and dropping current projects the council has already committed to. Last month, cabinet member for finance Cllr Mike Priestley warned the council is facing a shortfall of around ?18.5m ? a figure that could rise.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/conwy-council-facing-perilous-budget-25323267
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on October 25, 2022, 10:15:26 am
Conwy councillors will meet behind closed doors this week to decide who to employ as Conwy?s next chief executive. Current chief executive Iwan Davies is set to step down this month and retire after 11 years at the helm, and Conwy?s senior employment committee met this morning to discuss his replacement.

The press and public were excluded from attending the discussions. A special council meeting will also take place on Thursday morning when the matter will again be discussed away from the public eye.

A Conwy County Council spokeswoman said: ?A special meeting of Conwy County Borough Council will be held on Thursday 27 October to appoint a new chief executive. Councillors will receive presentations from the shortlisted candidates recommended by the senior employment committee.

"The successful candidate will be formally announced once due process has been completed.? Although the exact date of the announcement is not known, a decision is expected relatively quickly, given that the current chief executive is retiring.

Mr Davies, 58, has been with the council for 29 years and was given the top job in 2011. According to council figures, the chief executive?s salary is between ?129,195 and ?137,103, taking into account yearly increments, with pension contributions of around ?27K.

In July Conwy?s leader Cllr Charlie McCoubrey paid tribute to the departing chief executive. ?It?s a wrench to see Iwan go after many years of dedicated service, but we?re looking forward to welcoming a new chief executive,? he said.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on October 28, 2022, 10:30:26 am
CONWY County Borough Council has appointed its new chief executive.

Rhun ap Gareth, currently head of law and governance, has been appointed to the role.

He will succeed Iwan Davies, who will retire at the end of November

Leader of the council, Cllr Charlie McCoubrey, said: ?It?s been a rigorous selection process for this demanding role, and we were pleased to attract a number of strong candidates, who all performed to an extremely high standard.

?I?d like to congratulate Rhun on his appointment and I look forward to working with him to deliver the council?s priorities to make meaningful improvements to the lives of our residents, especially the most vulnerable.?    ref pioneer
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on November 09, 2022, 10:05:13 am
Conwy care home funding review slammed as 'absolute betrayal of the most vulnerable people'
The chair of Care Forum Wales said a review of fees was a 'sham' and betrayed people with dementia who cannot fend for themselves

The upshot is that Conwy pays ?5,300 a year per resident less for the care of residents with dementia than they do across the border in Gwynedd. That means a 40-bed care home in Llanfairfechan in Conwy would receive ?214,000 less a year than a similar sized home in Bangor ? for providing exactly the same level of care that meets Welsh Government standards.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/conwy-care-home-funding-review-25463691?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on November 16, 2022, 10:18:37 am
From past experiences, we usually get a few saying they do not want the pay rises, BUT it always seems to go through anyway... &shake&

Councillors have expressed discomfort at a proposed pay rise during the cost-of-living crisis. The proposals, for councillors in Conwy, amount to an increase of 4.76% to the basic salary, with a ?2,700 pay rise for Conwy?s leader and a ?1,890 increase for the deputy leader.

Executive members such as cabinet members are set to enjoy an extra ?1,620 a year. Meanwhile, committee chairs and the leader of the opposition will get an extra ?807 a year under the proposals. ?Backbench? councillors are set to get a rise of ?800 a year.

The proposals have been put forward by the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (IRPW) as part of a consultation process, setting the payment levels for 2023/24, which the authority must accept. The IRPW is required to publish its final report by February, 28, and the council?s democratic services committee discussed the proposals.

Whilst the committee welcomed the "evidence-based" salary changes, councillors agreed to write to the IRPW and suggest that it should consider reducing the number of senior councillor salaries. But before a decision was reached, several councillors questioned the ethics of raising councillors? salaries during the current economic crisis

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/pay-rise-plan-conwy-councillors-25525008
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Cambrian on November 16, 2022, 10:29:52 am
Didn't the IPR award 16 percent during the current year.  This 4.6 iseems to be for 2023/24.  20 per cent over 2 years is not bad.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: norman08 on November 16, 2022, 11:51:05 am
Cambrian isn?t it great this independent board award mps and councillors great rises,   But the likes of nurses have to accept a very low rise,  I don?t like % pay rises, an example in the NHS. You have 800 nurses on over ?100 k the low salary for majority of nurses can be ?20/30 k, so who gets the better rise.    This rise for the Ccbc councillors is not over 2 years it is from next April (23) to march (24), l know of one c ounty councillor can?t be contacted and can?t do anything in the day time as he has a job in the day, ?17 k is great for not being available.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on November 17, 2022, 10:16:37 am
Residents complaining about Conwy councillors often do so from a position of ignorance, a councillor has claimed. A second councillor also said Conwy needed to improve its communication so residents knew more about councillors? levels of dedication and commitment.

The democratic services committee debated an increase in councillors? salaries, proposed by an independent remuneration panel as part of a consultation process. The debate saw several councillors admitting they were uncomfortable receiving a salary increase during a cost-of-living crisis, but others said a fair wage encouraged diversity within the council.

Councillors accepted the "evidence-based" salary increase proposed by the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales but agreed to write back, suggesting the panel considered reducing the number of senior councillor salaries. But during the discussions, a number of councillors addressed the public perception of councillors, especially around how this appeared on social media.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/facebook-moans-councillors-come-from-25530379
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on November 24, 2022, 10:29:38 am
Conwy County Council has revealed how much money it made from the sale of its Civic Centre building in Colwyn Bay. The authority faces an 18.5m shortfall next year, sparking fears of widespread service cuts and council tax rises.

But this week the authority revealed it boosted its bank balance by 250,000    +}}{--    from the sale of the building off Abergele Road near Old Colwyn. Part of the Civic site was sold in August 2021 for a housing development whilst the building itself was put on the market at the end of 2021 after an earlier sale fell through.

Council staff vacated the Civic Centre building in 2018 when Conwy modernised its services and moved staff to its flagship state-of-the-art 58m Coed Pella building in the centre of Colwyn Bay. The Civic Centre?s new owners revealed last week they plan to spend ?2-3m to convert the iconic Grade-II listed building into a four-star hotel.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/colwyn-bays-former-civic-centre-25590429?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589


PS
Thank goodness Conwy does not make this kind of mistake...........
Denbighshire Council issues apology over 8m gap in estimated cost of coastal defence scheme
Council officers noticed the error when preparing a business case for the Welsh Government
cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/council-issues-apology-over-8m-25589170
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Meleri on November 24, 2022, 04:38:42 pm
CCBC pay over ?15,000 for a single person per year for B&B as there aren't enough units to house them. At present 272 people (82 of them children) are living in B&B accommodation in the County. Recently Janet Finch Saunders pointed out despite people being desperate for homes Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has as many as 750 units of accommodation not in use. Given that both these organizations are haemorrhaging funds you would think the powers that be would come together & house these poor people. Then funding for the accommodation would go back into the Health Board towards better care for the people of Conwy County, instead of the landlords pocket. What do other Forum members think?
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: DVT on November 24, 2022, 06:15:52 pm
Left hand and right hand, and no brain in between ?
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: norman08 on November 24, 2022, 07:04:29 pm
Wonder where these 750 betsi units are wonder if she?s counting the units in BYN,   Their are more hotels & B& Bs here with local homeless families than guests the latest one is the station hotel junction.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on November 25, 2022, 10:34:16 am
Update on the above, and further bad news ............

Conwy Council is facing a projected shortfall of more than 30 million in its budget for next year (2023/24) because of spiralling inflation and a volatile economic climate. At a cabinet meeting this week, Cllr Mike Priestley, who holds the portfolio for finance, warned councillors of the dire predicament the authority is potentially.

Whilst the figures are only estimates, Cllr Priestley admitted the worrying forecast could get even worse. The projected 30.5m black hole was expected to be 18.5m just weeks ago.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/conwy-facing-30-million-shortfall-25599065?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Meleri on November 25, 2022, 03:08:19 pm
Apparently there has been a lot of talk behind closed doors at CCBC regarding ways to cut costs & some of the ward members are up in arms as they have not been included. Pat on the back to Cllr Luckock for asking if all Cllrs could be included, especially the ward members for the areas these proposed cuts will affect. One such area is the Council Offices in Bodlondeb & Cllr Luckock came straight out with it & asked the Cabinet Member for Finance was it true that plans are being made presently for this move to Coed Pella Offices & the answer was yes. How very undemocratic of the powers that be not to include Councillors in these decisions, after all these are the people we voted in to represent us & safeguard our best interests. I will be watching with interest as to what they do with Bodlondeb, as I'm sure many others will. Also there is to be staff redundancies but they prefer not to offer voluntary packages as some of the older staff members reaching retirement age could take them up & that could be costly. It looks as if they have been working for some time at plugging that black hole.
Title: Re: Senedd offices in Colwyn Bay closed
Post by: SteveH on November 28, 2022, 10:41:58 am
Senedd offices in North Wales to close in cost cutting measure slammed by local MS
Senedd Commissioner Ken Skates MS confirmed the intention to close the Senedd offices in Colwyn Bay

Senedd offices in North Wales are marked for closure in a move slammed by the local member who says he wasn't consulted. Senedd Commissioner Ken Skates MS confirmed the intention to close the offices in Colwyn Bay - with staff relocated to the Welsh Government offices in Llandudno Junction.

Clwyd West MS Darren Millar said he had not been consulted on the proposals which were announced publicly during a debate this week on the Senedd Commission budget. The commission is the corporate body for the Welsh Parliament (Senedd).

The commission said co-locating offices with other public-sector organisations will provide "significant savings" and were consulting the cross-party Senedd Commissioners and discussions are ongoing. Senedd Commissioners are a cross party group who are responsible for providing the Senedd with the staff and resources they need to carry out their roles effectively.

MS Mr Millar said: "I am outraged by this decision which will leave a huge void in Colwyn Bay and add to the already existing confusion between the Senedd and the Welsh Government. There was no consultation with me as the local elected Member whose constituency is directly affected by the change prior to the decision being made.

?This is a big move and should have involved proper consultation, the lack of engagement is quite frankly appalling. I made the Senedd Commissioner aware of my strong objections and disappointment in the Chamber yesterday and will be taking it up further.?

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/senedd-offices-north-wales-close-25610192?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on November 29, 2022, 09:57:21 am
Council tax premium set to hit 100% for second homes and empty properties in Conwy county
Funds will be used to tackle homelessness in the county

Conwy?s cabinet has agreed to increase council tax premiums to 100% for the owners of second homes and empty properties from 2024. The final decision will be made at a council meeting on December 8, but if the increase gets the go-ahead, the money generated will be used to tackle the county?s homelessness problem.

Since April 2017 authorities in Wales have had the discretion to charge council tax premiums on long-term empty and second homes. But many councils have been reluctant to do this due to a loophole that allowed second homeowners to register the property as a business instead ? avoiding council tax altogether.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/council-tax-premium-set-hit-25607923
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on December 13, 2022, 10:19:50 am
A COUNCIL?S contact centres and phone lines are not up to scratch,  leaving customers angry and frustrated, a concerned councillor claims.

This week Conwy Council?s financial resources overview and scrutiny committee met to debate the council?s digital strategy report.

The report included details of how council technology will evolve until 2027.

The committee members backed the report, but one concerned councillor slammed Conwy?s contact centres where council customer service staff respond to enquiries by taking telephone calls or via an online chat service.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23186020.conwy-council-customer-service-slammed/
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on December 16, 2022, 10:18:47 am
COUNCILLORS decided the level of Council Tax Premium on second homes and long term empty homes in Conwy County for 2023/24 at a meeting last week (December 8).

The premium is designed to encourage owners to bring empty properties into use and support the increase of affordable housing for purchase or let in local communities.

At the meeting of full Council it was decided to charge a 50 per cent Council Tax Premium for both second homes and long term empty homes from April 2023.

The meeting also agreed an indicative level of 100 per cent premium on both long term empty homes and second homes from 1st April 2024 (subject to review during 2023/2024).

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23190074.council-tax-premium-second-homes-long-term-empty-homes/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting,,,Food banks
Post by: SteveH on December 22, 2022, 10:25:17 am
CONWY County Borough Council has awarded over ?80,000 to help stock recognised foodbanks across the county in time for Christmas.

The Council received funding from Welsh Government to support food poverty during the cost of living crisis.

The funding allows the foodbanks to continue producing food parcels for residents within the county who are eligible for foodbank support.

Foodbanks in Llanfairfechan, Conwy, Llandudno, Colwyn Bay and Abergele have had their stocks replenished thanks to this financial support.

Funds were allocated according to the amount of food each food bank distributed.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23206667.financial-support-foodbanks-across-conwy-county/
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on January 08, 2023, 10:23:41 am
Council defends 33 per cent staff occupancy of offices

A FREEDOM of Information Request has disclosed that Conwy County Borough Council staff occupancy figures for its Bodlondeb and Coed Pella bases reached a peak of less than 40 per cent for two weeks in October.

Out of 958 possible occupancies across the two sites, the highest peak number of staff was Tuesday, 18 October.

On this day, 363 members of staff were working within the offices, the equivalent of 38 per cent.

At the new Coed Pella building in Colwyn Bay, which costs around ?1.45million a year in rent, the peak occupancy was 36.25 per cent out of a possible 720 staff members, with a maximum 261 members of staff present in the building on Tuesday, 18 October.

Commenting on the lack of use of the Local Authority?s flagship buildings, Mrs Finch-Saunders said: ?Covid regulations have long finished, and as such there is no legal requirement to work from home.

Conwy County Borough Council said ...........cont..........
 https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23233470.council-defends-33-per-cent-staff-occupancy-offices/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Ian on January 08, 2023, 10:51:18 am

Commenting on the lack of use of the Local Authority?s flagship buildings, Mrs Finch-Saunders said: ?Covid regulations have long finished,


The poorly thought-out and often ignored regulations have, in fact, not been repealed, and if the work can be done just as well from home as in work, then one has to wonder what the problem really is.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on January 08, 2023, 11:05:52 am

Commenting on the lack of use of the Local Authority?s flagship buildings, Mrs Finch-Saunders said: ?Covid regulations have long finished,
The poorly thought-out and often ignored regulations have, in fact, not been repealed, and if the work can be done just as well from home as in work, then one has to wonder what the problem really is.

My objection is the lack of foresight on behalf of the CCBC, and the usual incompetent practice of spending tax money wastefully.   
Title: Re: CCBC ....Give your feedback on new homelessness plan
Post by: SteveH on January 18, 2023, 10:34:27 am
CONWY County Borough Council has produced a Draft Housing Support Programme Strategy and is asking for feedback.

The strategy sets out how the Council will support vulnerable people at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness to help them keep their home or find suitable accommodation.

The vision for the programme is taking a proactive approach to the early intervention and prevention of homelessness.

Where homelessness can?t be prevented, it will help make sure that support and/or accommodation is available.

The actions in the programme are funded though the Welsh Government?s Housing Support Grant.

This grant aims to provide a better quality of life for vulnerable people by supporting them to access and keep a stable and suitable home and live independently.

The strategy runs until 2026 and shows the work in the context of the Council?s other housing initiatives, like the recently approved Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan, together with work with partner organisations.

The Council is inviting comments on the strategy at www.conwy.gov.uk.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on January 22, 2023, 10:15:42 am
COUNCILLORS in Conwy will discuss the provisional settlement in detail next week when they meet to discuss the indicative budget for 2023-24.

Conwy?s final settlement is expected to be confirmed by Welsh Government in early March.

The council will meet on March 2 to finalise and agree the budget and council tax for 2023-24.

Cllr Mike Priestley, Conwy County Borough Council?s cabinet member for finance, said: ?Since Welsh Government published their funding for local government on December 14, our Finance Team have been working on the provisional figures to produce a detailed report for councillors to discuss.

?As it currently stands, Conwy will receive a 7.3 per cent increase in funding from Welsh Government. Disappointingly, this is below the Wales average of 7.9 per cent.

"And whilst any increase is very welcome, it?s not sufficient to meet the funding shortfalls that the council faces as a result of national pay awards, price inflation, energy and fuel increases, and service pressures - we?re currently looking at a resource shortfall of over ?21.5million.

?There is still some way to go and more difficult decisions to be made in order for a balanced budget to be presented to council in March.

?But I?d like to thank all the officers and councillors that have contributed to this work so far.?  ref pioneer
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on January 26, 2023, 10:21:51 am
'I feel I'm lying to the public' - Fate of Conwy council HQ debated as doubts shared over future
Councillors fear Bodlondeb could close

The fate of Conwy council?s Bodlondeb HQ was thrown into doubt when one councillor admitted she felt she was lying to the public when making assurances about the building?s future. While Conwy?s leader said a decision on the future of Bodlondeb would only be made through democracy, the council?s new chief executive said a "process" was being followed and options looked at.

The scrutiny meeting discussions revolved around a review of the cash-strapped authority?s assets, as Conwy faces a shortfall of around ?30m in the next financial year. Cabinet member for finance Cllr Mike Priestley also said "no decision whatsoever had been taken regarding Bodlondeb".

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/i-feel-im-lying-public-26071736
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on January 27, 2023, 10:18:09 am
Council tax could rise by 10% as services are cut under Conwy's 'worst financial situation' in years
But cabinet member vows to keep council tax as low as possible

Conwy could increase council tax by 10% to tackle a ?21m shortfall while cutting services by 10% across the board. The council now faces a resource shortfall of ?21,528,000 for the next financial year, but Conwy?s cabinet member for finance has promised to do everything to keep council tax down.

This shortfall is not helped by the annual Welsh Government settlement increase coming in at 7.3%, which is under the national average of 7.9%. Already the authority has asked each of its services to reduce budgets by 10%.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/conwy-could-increase-council-tax-26083267
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on January 29, 2023, 10:33:24 am
PCC proposes lower than inflation rate policing precept

Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales, Andy Dunbobbin, has announced that he will ask the Police and Crime Panel to approve a lower than inflation rate increase in the policing precept. This equates to 31p per week (or ?16.29 annually) for the financial year 2023-24. In percentage terms, this means a 5.14% council tax increase for a band D property on last year. Mr Dunbobbin will make the proposal to the Police and Crime Panel at a meeting on January 30, 2023, which will be live streamed on Conwy County Borough Council?s website.

Around half the money for the police budget in North Wales comes from the UK Government and the rest comes from Council Tax. The amount depends on the precept levied by the Police and Crime Commissioner.

The decision to ask for an increase of 31p per week follows a consultation and survey that took place with the people of North Wales over nearly six weeks from 5 December to 11 January, involving over 1,000 responses. Read more here.  https://www.northwales-pcc.gov.uk/pcc-proposes-lower-inflation-rate-policing-precept
Title: Re: CCBC News
Post by: SteveH on February 01, 2023, 10:22:30 am
Censorship accusation as North Wales council deletes vote row and 'wardrobe malfunction'
Youtube footage retrospectively edited by Conwy council in a move defended by the local authority

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/censorship-accusation-north-wales-council-26122590
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting..... T19 service
Post by: SteveH on February 03, 2023, 10:37:31 am
Council doesn't 'have the resources? to save Gwynedd-Conwy bus service

The T19 service, operated by Llew Jones, runs between Llandudno and Blaenau Ffestiniog, but will be stopping on February 11.

In addition to gaining about 700 signatures on the petition calling for the T19 to continue, and the route to be subsidised with taxpayers? money, Mrs Finch-Saunders sent three urgent letters to Cllr Charlie McCoubrey, leader of Conwy County Borough Council.

She requested that he cooperate with Welsh Government and Gwynedd Council to save the bus service, such as through:

? Backing the service with taxpayers? money.

? Holding an urgent cabinet meeting.

? Considering the understanding that Gwynedd Council had, by the end of last year, ordered electric buses for use on Traws Cymru services in North Wales, and that some are potentially sat unused in Caernarfon, potentially find a solution by liaising with the leader of Gwynedd Council and Welsh Government to see if at least one electric bus could be offered to Llew Jones for the T19 route.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23296331.council-doesnt-have-resources-save-gwynedd-conwy-bus-service/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Cambrian on February 03, 2023, 11:37:28 am
Sadly, following management structural and political changes over the past couple of years, CCBC's ERF shows very little interest in, or engagement with, public transport whether bus or rail.  Witness the damaged timetable frames with either no info or out of date times.

Incidentally, didn't Llew Jones say the same sort of thing a few years ago about the still running 19 service ?
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on February 08, 2023, 09:36:49 am
People in Conwy face 12.5% Council Tax rise if more savings can't be found
Conwy Council is looking at where further cuts can be made before the final budget is set

The council will set its final budget at a meeting early next month, and Conwy?s finance and resources overview scrutiny committee discussed an updated report this week at a meeting at Bodlondeb. Councillors heard how managers had made 10% cuts across council services with only education and social services being asked to make 5% cuts.

In the latest version of the report, Conwy's finance officers modelled several separate scenarios, including Council Tax rises of 7.5%, 10%, and 12.5%, bringing in an additional ?4.6m, ?6.24m, and ?7.78m respectively. A previous model for a 15% Council Tax rise was excluded from the latest report, which would have generated ?9.3m.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/people-conwy-face-125-council-26179871?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589
Title: Re: CCBC .. Share of Shared Prosperity Fund
Post by: SteveH on February 10, 2023, 10:24:18 am
Conwy organisations urged to apply for share of Shared Prosperity Fund

CONWY County Borough Council is inviting organisations to submit applications for projects to be supported by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

The UKSPF is a central pillar of the UK Government?s Levelling Up agenda and will provide ?2.6bn of funding for investment across the UK by March 2025.

Conwy has been awarded an allocation of more than ?20m to invest and spend by March 2025.

The overarching objective of the fund is to build pride in place and increase life chances and the UKSPF aims to achieve this through three investment priorities:

? Community and place.

? Supporting businesses.

? People and skills.

In addition, funds are available to support adult numeracy (the ?Multiply? programme).

Conwy County Borough Council is working alongside the other North Wales local authorities to administer and manage the programme on a regional basis.

READ MORE:  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23309705.conwy-organisations-urged-apply-share-shared-prosperity-fund/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting........Council Buildings costs
Post by: SteveH on February 16, 2023, 10:25:38 am
Conwy Council chief defends underused flagship HQ building saying 'world has moved on' since Covid
Chief executive Rhun ap Gareth said the council's situation now is much different to three or four years ago

New chief executive has defended the council?s decision to move staff to its state-of-the-art ?58m flagship Colwyn Bay building ? a decision taken years before his leadership began. Chief executive Rhun ap Gareth has also claimed the sale and fate of the council?s Bodlondeb HQ is still undecided, despite intense speculation during an ongoing review of Conwy?s estate.

Read more https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/conwy-council-chief-defends-underused-26237858


Welsh Government offices site in North Wales to be sold for affordable housing project
The site on Dinerth Road in Rhos-on-Sea had originally been developed as a potential emergency hospital

Conwy council took a lease out on the buildings in 2011 - but the 400 local authority workers left the site in 2018 after the new Coed Pella offices were opened in the centre of Colwyn Bay.

Now Welsh Government?s finance minister Rebecca Evans and minister for climate change Julie James have agreed to the transfer of the site to the Land Division portfolio ?pending sale of the site for residential use?.

Read more  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/welsh-government-offices-site-north-26250040
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on February 17, 2023, 09:35:11 am
The issues facing Conwy council as it battles to balance the books amid funding shortfall
Chief executive says authority needs more money beyond the extra ?15m received as part of the Welsh Government settlement

Conwy council's new chief executive has opened up on the pressures of the job after five months at the helm, suggesting Conwy needs more help from Welsh Government. Chief executive Rhun ap Gareth listed housing, homelessness, and social care as some of the biggest challenges facing Conwy.

But the chief executive also took aim at the Welsh Government after another below average Local Government Settlement. Despite a Welsh average increase of around 7.9%, Conwy received only 7.3%, not helping the ?19m funding gap and 10% authority-wide cuts in services it must make. Only education and social services escaped the 10% rule and are being asked to make 5% cuts.
cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/issues-facing-conwy-council-battles-26248325


Clwyd West MS challenges Welsh Government on council tax hike in Conwy
WITH Conwy County Borough Council considering a 12.45 per cent council tax rise in April, Clwyd West MS Darren Millar has urged Welsh Government to undertake an independent review of the local government funding formula in Wales.

This, he said, ?always seems to leave some North Wales councils worse off than their South Wales counterparts?.

Speaking in the Senedd this week, Mr Millar said residents living in Conwy are concerned about the proposed hike, which is substantially more than the five per cent increase for most councils in England.
cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23328017.clwyd-west-ms-challenges-welsh-government-council-tax-hike-conwy/
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on February 21, 2023, 09:41:12 am
CONWY County Borough Council?s  new chief executive has opened up on the pressures of the job after five months at the helm, suggesting Conwy needs more help from Welsh Government.

Chief executive Rhun ap Gareth listed housing, homelessness, and social care as some of the biggest challenges facing Conwy.

But he also took aim at the Welsh Government after another below average Local Government Settlement. 

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23333350.conwy-chief-executive-says-conwy-needs-money/
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Meleri on February 21, 2023, 05:31:54 pm
I have just watched the CCBC Cabinet meeting that took place this morning & it looks like we will all be paying between 9.9 & 10% rise in our Council Tax, this will be determined on 2nd March at the full council meeting. There is no price cap on what Councils in Wales can charge, in England it's 5%.

What did come to light at this meeting was 15 of the young men housed in the Hilton Garden Inn Hotel, Dolgarrog were found to be minors, so came under Social Service responsibility. CCBC had to pay ?500 per week for each, so given they were there for 3 months it cost CCBC ?90,000. I would be interested to know if the Home Office is going to reimburse CCBC & also interested to hear what fellow members of the forum think, given all the service cuts we are facing in the future to balance the budget.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on February 22, 2023, 09:47:58 am
I have just watched the CCBC Cabinet meeting that took place this morning & it looks like we will all be paying between 9.9 & 10% rise in our Council Tax, this will be determined on 2nd March at the full council meeting. There is no price cap on what Councils in Wales can charge, in England it's 5%.

What did come to light at this meeting was 15 of the young men housed in the Hilton Garden Inn Hotel, Dolgarrog were found to be minors, so came under Social Service responsibility. CCBC had to pay 500 per week for each, so given they were there for 3 months it cost CCBC 90,000. I would be interested to know if the Home Office is going to reimburse CCBC & also interested to hear what fellow members of the forum think, given all the service cuts we are facing in the future to balance the budget.

I have queried it with a local councillor, will let you know what is said.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: norman08 on February 22, 2023, 10:34:08 am
Better asking millar on his chat tonight. Mind you you won?t get a real answer off him.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Meleri on February 22, 2023, 10:56:01 am
Thanks very much for that Steve, look forward to hearing any updates. By the way why do Pound signs show up as question marks on the Forum?

Norman where do I access the chat you mention, as it sounds very interesting?
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Ian on February 22, 2023, 11:01:15 am
why do Pound signs show up as question marks on the Forum?

We're not quite sure about that, Meleri; still trying to solve it.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: norman08 on February 22, 2023, 01:37:50 pm
Meleri go onto his Facebook page his chat usually starts 7 pm only answers questions that he wants to.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Meleri on February 22, 2023, 04:21:57 pm
Thanks very much Norman will give it a go.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: norman08 on February 23, 2023, 09:05:34 am
Hi Meleri did you manage to get on his page last night.    What did you think of it, he only answers what he wants to.  😅
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Meleri on February 23, 2023, 01:37:49 pm
Well Norman you were spot on with your prediction, you must know him well. I noticed he had answered the questions before & after mine then continued to answer the others as they came in. After 25 minutes I asked him again if he could please answer my question, but he said it wasn't there he couldn't find it. Very odd as he had answered everyone else. So I typed it all out again & a few people agreed & wanted an answer, so I guess he had no choice but to answer. Apparently he had discussed this subject with The Minister (which one I don't know) & it was being looked into. Hopefully something would be done & the money would be given back to CCBC at a later date. He did point out my calculations weren't quite right, as they hadn't been there for that long. So in the end I got an answer of sorts, so let's hope the full amount is paid back to CCBC. Thanks again for letting me know about that live chat.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: norman08 on February 23, 2023, 06:57:37 pm
Yes you asked him the Question before I finished typing it. Well done.  We go back to when he first got elected, I volunteer at a foodbank I invited him to a private meeting to show him the working. He stood there with two of us and offered us a ?1k , he was asked about 6 months later by a business man who delivered food and toys for us at Xmas. And denied he?d offered he?s full of crap. He is very two faced.you will notice he only answers his friends who praise him unless he?s tackled.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Hugo on February 23, 2023, 09:08:04 pm
I've not followed this story until I heard from Meleri today but what can I say Norman when you have examples like him and Boris to follow
A typical Tory, roll on 2025
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on February 24, 2023, 10:16:58 am
DP piece on the story.............

Snowdonia Hilton hotel asylum seekers 'cost social services thousands'
The Home Office hosed 87 asylum seekers at the Hilton Garden Inn Snowdonia in Dolgarrog in November due to a backlog of cases elsewhere in the UK

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/snowdonia-hilton-hotel-asylum-seekers-26315191

Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Helig on February 24, 2023, 11:28:48 am
I presume the costs will be borne by local Council Tax payers? It is an outrage when the cost of living is rocketing and people are struggling to survive. Heaven knows where the illegal immigrants will live since it appears they are going to be allowed to live here due to the Home Office being unable to cope with all their applications. It is a free for all immigration policy which will give all and sundry a right to live in the UK. There is a housing crisis in the UK and they cannot provide homes for UK nationals so where will these go? It seems they can house the immigrants but not the British people.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Ian on February 24, 2023, 11:31:09 am
But didn't Johnson promise us an extra 350m per week if we left the EU?  He can't have been making that up, surely? ...
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Meleri on February 24, 2023, 11:56:48 am
I agree Helig there is a terrible housing shortage in the UK & Conwy County alone has over 200 people who are homeless families & single residents. CCBC are paying ?85 per night per person for B&B to house these poor people, it's no place for children to be brought up.

I'm pleased to see it is being openly talked about in the press Steve, so thanks for that link. Council Tax payers have every right to know where the money is being spent especially as we are now faced with all these cuts to services & the huge rise in Council Tax as I have said before.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on February 27, 2023, 10:02:04 am
I have just watched the CCBC Cabinet meeting that took place this morning & it looks like we will all be paying between 9.9 & 10% rise in our Council Tax, this will be determined on 2nd March at the full council meeting. There is no price cap on what Councils in Wales can charge, in England it's 5%.

What did come to light at this meeting was 15 of the young men housed in the Hilton Garden Inn Hotel, Dolgarrog were found to be minors, so came under Social Service responsibility. CCBC had to pay 500 per week for each, so given they were there for 3 months it cost CCBC 90,000. I would be interested to know if the Home Office is going to reimburse CCBC & also interested to hear what fellow members of the forum think, given all the service cuts we are facing in the future to balance the budget.

I have queried it with a local councillor, will let you know what is said.

The answer received was...........

My understanding is that the Home Office doesn?t currently reimburse local authorities for this, and I believe representations have been made to the UK Government.

 
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Meleri on February 27, 2023, 02:19:27 pm
Thanks very much Steve for letting us know, sadly not the answer we were expecting  :( The thing is where to go next to find out what is going on?
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting.......National Empty Homes Week
Post by: SteveH on February 28, 2023, 10:29:53 am
THIS National Empty Homes Week (February 27 ? March 5) Conwy County Borough Council is highlighting the assistance available to owners of empty properties to unlock housing potential.

Conwy has about 1,700 households on its waiting list for all types of properties.
At any one time, the county has roughly 2,500 privately owned, empty properties; many of these are temporarily empty and will come back into use within a few months.

But approximately 1,500 will remain empty for longer than six months and some for many years, while people are struggling to find affordable accommodation in the area.

The council is encouraging empty property owners to get in touch to find out about the help that could be available to bring the wasted resource of these empty properties back into use.

A range of initiatives are available:
? An interest-free property improvement loan of up to ?35,000 is available for properties that have been empty for six months or more, which need work to enable them to be sold or let at the end of refurbishment.

? Grants of up to ?20,000 are available for work to properties that have been empty for six months, and to landlords who are considering buying a property that has been empty for that period of time, who would be willing to rent the properties to people in a housing need, at an affordable rate, for at least five years.

? Leasing schemes are available for empty properties. Grants range from ?5,000 to ?25,000 (maximum available if the property has been empty for six months or more) to complete works identified by the council, in exchange for a lease of the property (five to 20 years), during which time repairs and maintenance are covered, the rent is guaranteed, and full management and support is provided to tenants.

Cllr Emily Owen, cabinet member for housing and regulatory, said: "Housing touches on every aspect of people's lives.
?By bringing an empty home back into use, we can help towards the council?s aim for people in Conwy to have access to affordable, appropriate and good quality accommodation.?

For more information, property owners can visit the council?s website, or contact the its empty homes officers on 01492 574633 or 01492 574235.      ref pioneer
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on March 06, 2023, 10:09:54 am
North Wales council's 9.9% tax hike likened to a 'hurricane' that is set to 'hit the poorest hardest'
Conwy council agreed earlier his week to raise council tax and raid its reserve as it battles to balance the books

Conwy?s desperate financial situation has been likened to 'a hurricane' following the council?s decision to raise council tax by 9.9%. At Thursday?s meeting at Bodlondeb, cabinet member for finance Cllr Mike Priestley made the analogy as he explained the authority had been forced to raid its reserves for extra cash.

Despite financial warnings from officers against raiding reserves, the council took ?720,000 from its savings to fund a late additional local government pay offer for staff, adding to the authority?s financial problems. Conwy has in the region of ?25m in its reserves.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/north-wales-councils-99-tax-26381207?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on March 07, 2023, 10:26:42 am
What you had to say about councillors in Conwy approving Wales' biggest council tax increase
The near ten percent council tax rise has caused some discontent in the county

CCBC has come under fire after voting through Wales' highest council tax increase. A number of North Wales Live readers have questioned how locals will be able to afford the extra outgoings amid the cost-of-living crisis.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/what-you-say-councillors-conwy-26400942
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting........Pay rise for Conwy councillors
Post by: SteveH on March 08, 2023, 09:50:38 am
The rise in councillors' salaries in Conwy has been criticised in the wake of an agreed 9.9% increase in council tax. The increases, which are set by the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (IRPW) rather than the council, come as councillors approved Wales' biggest council tax increase.

The proposals are detailed in the IRPW's annual report but will have to be voted on by the council in the coming weeks. Now Aberconwy MS Janet Finch-Saunders has said the pay rise is "in poor taste" following the council setting a 9.9% council tax increase whilst cutting services? budgets by 10%.

Only education and social services were spared the 10% cuts and told to make 5% budget reductions - with the prospect of school redundancies on the horizon. Ms Finch-Saunders said: "I'm quite surprised to hear they are having yet another pay increase because it's not that long ago that they had one."

"The role of council leader is a very responsible one but, given they have imposed a 9.9% council tax increase, the highest in Wales, it's not going to go down too well with my constituents that councillors are then accepting the remuneration board's recommendations. It's not just the council leader; it's the deputy leader.

"It's not acceptable. They are having these frequent increases. It's in very poor taste if councillors accept this rise."

The changes mean a basic councillor salary will rise from ?16,800 a year to ?17,600. But the leader will be paid ?59,400, rising from ?56,700 last year and ?49,974 in 2022/21, meaning the position has enjoyed a ?9,426 pay rise in the space of two years.

The deputy leader will also receive ?41,580, a rise from ?39,690. The position was paid ?35,320 in 2022/21. Cabinet members will be paid ?35,640, rising from ?34,020. Cabinet members were paid ?30,773 in 2021/22.

What do you think of the proposals? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

Civic heads will also see their pay increase from ?25,593 to ?26,400. The deputy civic head's salary will increase from ?20,540 to ?21,340.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/pay-rise-conwy-councillors-criticised-26398298
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: norman08 on March 08, 2023, 03:34:46 pm
I don?t agree with the rise. But it?s a bit rich from finch. She didn?t sniff at taking 18% rise the other year, last year and this a smaller %, and bear in mind she is the highest claimer in expenses.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on March 14, 2023, 10:05:23 am
Conwy leader defends councillor pay rises in wake of 9.9% council tax hike
Some councillors have argued those in senior council positions should take a pay cut

The salary increase is set by the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (IRPW), not Conwy itself, although individual councillors can choose not to accept the amount. This means a councillor?s basic salary will rise from ?16,800 a year to ?17,600 a year ? with the leader set to receive ?59,400, rising from ?56,700.

The deputy leader?s pay will also rise to ?41,580 from ?39,690, and cabinet members will be paid ?35,640, rising from ?34,020. Civic heads will also see their pay increase from ?25,593 to ?26,400.

The pay rises are controversial in light of Conwy opting to up council tax by 9.9% whilst cutting most services? budgets by 10%. Cllr David Carr and Cllr Anne McCaffrey proposed that the committee recommended that council looked at cutting extra allowances paid to all committee chairs, but this was thrown out.

Instead the committee voted to note the proposed pay rise but recommended the council looked at cutting the extra allowances paid to the chair of the democratic services committee and the vice chair of the council. But discussions got heated when some councillors said the cabinet should look at cutting its numbers down from ten and even suggested the leader opt to cut the deputy leader?s pay.

Conwy?s leader Cllr Charlie McCoubrey, though, said he needed a strong cabinet, which meant positions and pay needed to be protected. ?We have faced enormous challenges,? said Cllr McCoubrey.    :(

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/conwy-leader-defends-councillor-pay-26463667?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on March 16, 2023, 10:17:11 am
CLWYD West MS Darren Millar is calling for referendums on excessive council tax rises in Wales.

It follows a controversial 9.9 per cent council tax hike in Conwy, where residents are facing the highest council tax increase in England and Wales.

Mr Millar has written to the Minister for Finance and Local Government urging her to provide residents with a chance to have their say, as is the case in England.

He said: ?This council tax increase at almost 10 per cent is the largest in England and Wales and will put many residents under immense financial pressure.

https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23389365.ms-proposes-referendum-conwy-council-tax-hike/


Conwy council accused of paying its own care homes 57% more than private homes
But the authority has disputed the analysis made by Care Forum Wales and the conclusions drawn

The question was submitted to the council by the owner of the 22-bed Woodcroft Care Home in Old Colwyn, Andrew Snook, who is also a member of the CFW. The authority?s response showed they had earmarked a budget of approximately ?1,136 per resident per week at the council-owned Llys Elian care home in Colwyn Bay.

In contrast, the council were only paying just over half of that amount - ?721 - towards the care costs of the vulnerable residents in privately-run care homes in Conwy. According to CFW, that means the council gave themselves over ?20,000 more per resident this year than they paid to an independent care home.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/council-accused-paying-care-homes-26479466

Title: Re: CCBC Taxi prices in Conwy
Post by: SteveH on March 23, 2023, 10:36:01 am
Cabbies complain taxi prices in Conwy are no longer sustainable
A public consultation over new Hackney fares will now take place

A public consultation on taxi prices in Conwy will go ahead after cabbies complained that the current rate is unsustainable. But one councillor fears taxi fares increasing could hit those on low incomes who can?t afford a car.

A debate on the matter unfolded at Bodlondeb this week when Conwy?s licensing committee met. There, the committee discussed the maximum rate Hackney taxis are allowed to charge.

Lisa Roberts, of Castle Cabs, wrote to Conwy County Council's licensing department, requesting that taxi firms were allowed to increase fares due to inflation. Speaking via video link, Mrs Roberts said whilst private taxi hire was still profitable, Hackney taxi fares - taxis plying their trade on the street ? were no longer sustainable.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/cabbies-complain-taxi-prices-conwy-26531309?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on March 25, 2023, 10:21:57 am
Conwy Band D council tax rise highest in Wales, figures confirm
Residents pay ?85 over national average

The statistics reveal Conwy has the largest overall band D percentage increase in Wales at 8.9%. This compares to the smallest band D increase of 2.7% in Torfaen.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/conwy-band-d-council-tax-26553934
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on April 10, 2023, 10:11:52 am
Readers all say the same thing about Conwy Council's 'horrendous' money problem
We asked - and you definitely didn't hold back

In Conwy Council's case, no savings plan is set in stone and anything put forward will need to be approved by its cabinet. And if members of that same cabinet want to seek re-election, they would do well to consult with their county's constituents on any plans they come up with.

To get a head-start on things, we asked North Wales Live readers for their opinion on the developments which emerged from the council chambers this week and received a number of responses from people eager to have their say. First, we asked people for their thoughts on the schools discussion.

This is how you answered - and the results were a bit tighter than we expected:............
https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/readers-say-same-thing-conwy-26648282?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589
Title: Re: Colwyn Bay and Rhyl in same constituency from next general election
Post by: SteveH on June 29, 2023, 10:21:27 am
A RESTRUCTURING of parliamentary constituencies by the Boundary Commission for Wales will see Colwyn Bay and Rhyl under the same jurisdiction.

Welsh constituencies have been reduced from the current total of 40 to 32; this will come into force following the next general election (no later than January 2025).

The commission?s final recommendations will take effect automatically after the next election, without the need for parliamentary or government approval.

Among its changes is the formation of a new ?Clwyd North? constituency, comprising Denbigh, Rhyl, St Asaph, Abergele, Colwyn Bay, Rhos-on-Sea, Mochdre and Pentre-Mawr.

A ?Clwyd East? constituency will include parts of Wrexham and Flintshire, as well as Dyserth, Prestatyn, Llangollen and Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23620907.colwyn-bay-rhyl-constituency-next-general-election/
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on July 04, 2023, 09:53:45 am
CONWY's Coed Pella office in Colwyn Bay has cost taxpayers over ?10.6m in running costs in the last five years.

According to information collected in a freedom of information (FOI) application by a member of the public, Conwy paid out ?1,099,865, ?2,225,144, ?2,406,603, ?2,409,292, and ?2,510,054 in yearly running costs between 2018/19 and 2022/23.

This totals at an almighty ?10,650,958.

During that period, the council, who work ?paperless?, also splashed out ?118,468 on stationary and other office expenses, spending ?42,618, ?29,328, ?12,194, ?16,493, and ?17,835 between 2018/19 and 2022/23 respectively.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23631282.running-costs-conwy-councils-coed-pella-revealed/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on July 13, 2023, 09:49:40 am
Call for council houses to be built to help the poorest people in Conwy
'We've still got a problem because we haven't got the housing for some of the poorest people'

The debate ensued whilst Conwy's cabinet discussed the council's five-year Local Housing Strategy Review and Consultation, which sets out a "strategic vision and priorities for housing". Whilst a report was published in 2018 detailing actions for delivery up to 2023, a new paper outlines the proposed plan to develop the housing strategy between 2024 - 2029.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/call-council-houses-built-help-27308142
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on August 12, 2023, 09:36:20 am
MS Darren Millar is urging Conwy County Council to scrap a planned 70% increase in telecare charges due to be introduced next month. 
The extortionate hike would see residents in Conwy paying the highest telecare charges in the Wales.

The local authority has informed Conwy subscribers that it plans to increase the annual cost of its telecare service from ?182 to ?310.25 from September 1st. The charges in other parts of North Wales are; Anglesey ?223.60; Denbighshire ?204; Flintshire ?137.28; Gwynedd ?269.88; and Wrexham ?293.80.

Darren said the price rise will put a financial strain on many in the county who currently depend on the service and has written to Conwy County Borough Council calling for them to scrap its plans and look again at the proposed hike.
https://www.darrenmillar.wales/news/ms-calls-conwy-council-scrap-unacceptable-70-increase-telecare-charges


A major revamp of a primary school in the ward of the cabinet member for education was called into question by a councillor. Conwy Council county councillor Jo Nuttall wanted to know "for clarity" why funds were earmarked for Ysgol Deganwy when schools across the the county were being asked to slash their budgets.

Cllr Nuttall raised the issue, after the council submitted a planning application for major works at the schoo, which was approved this week at Bodlondeb. Cllr Nuttall contrasted the funding boost with the decidion to impose a 5% cut to all schools which have led to staff redundancies and headmasters making loan applications to the council.
https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/primary-school-revamp-questioned-after-27498370
Title: Re: CCBC ............Cabinet member to step down
Post by: SteveH on August 30, 2023, 04:13:05 pm
Conwy Council cabinet member to step down due to family illness
But Llandudno Junction representative Mike Priestley says he will remain active on his ward

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/conwy-council-cabinet-member-step-27615800

Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on September 02, 2023, 10:03:03 am
Conwy Council faces budget 'catastrophe' with fresh tax rise looking likely
The council is facing a shortfall of up to ?30m in its budget despite a 9.9% increase in council tax last year

Conwy Council is facing a budget shortfall of up to ?30m next year with fresh council tax rises now looking inevitable. But even a 10% rise would only generate an additional ?6.8m - and now the Welsh Government and its "puppets" have been blasted over a formula which dictates council budgets for the next financial year.

At a Conwy Council finance meeting, councillors and officers blamed the huge budget shortfall on the formula used by the Welsh Government to calculate how much Conwy receives in the annual Local Government Settlement. Whilst Cardiff is yet to confirm its final settlement, it has indicated a 3.06% increase across Wales ? or an additional sum of around ?6m for Conwy.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/conwy-council-faces-budget-catastrophe-27629109
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting........Colwyn Bay
Post by: SteveH on September 07, 2023, 09:23:16 am
'Hybrid working' won't help regenerate Colwyn Bay's fortunes, councillor claims
Harry Saville says allowing Conwy Council staff to work from home won't help achieve an economic boost for one of the county's biggest towns

A council's "hybrid working" policy where staff work at home and in the office won't help regenerate the fortunes of Colwyn Bay. Conservative councillor Harry Saville made that claim at a Conwy County Council finance scrutiny committee meeting where councillors backed plans for a new one-office strategy that could see the Bodlondeb headquarters in Conwy sold and staff moved to the flagship ?58m Coed Pella office.

The committee agreed to pledge ?255,000 towards paying for the business case  :( to assess the sale of Bodlondeb. The council then plans to move staff to Coed Pella, which has long been hailed as the solution to regenerating Colwyn Bay by increasing footfall in the town.
cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/hybrid-working-wont-help-regenerate-27658563


Grade II listed council building set to be put up for sale
Conwy councillors have backed a move to centralise staff in Colwyn Bay which means its Bodlondeb base could be sold
cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/grade-ii-listed-council-building-27657640
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on September 09, 2023, 09:17:08 am
Conwy Council leader appoints new cabinet member for finance
Cllr Nigel Smith takes the helm after Cllr Mike Priestley stepped down

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/conwy-council-leader-appoints-new-27671394
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on September 14, 2023, 10:47:54 am
Cash-strapped council will spend 255k looking into sale of its headquarters..........  ???     :-\      :o
The money will be used to develop a full business case detailing how staff will be moved and the building sold

Cash-strapped Conwy County Council will spend over quarter of a million pounds on a study to close its Bodlondeb HQ. The cabinet met this week at the Grade-II listed building and voted in favour of re-evaluating its estate at a cost of 255,000.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/cash-strapped-council-spend-255k-27706407
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on September 16, 2023, 10:38:47 am
Update on above

County council criticised for ?255,000 spend on Bodlondeb case

Commenting on the spend, Ms Finch-Saunders said: ?With having increased our council tax by a massive 10 per cent we expect them to spend every single penny carefully.

?Throwing over a quarter of a million pounds towards a business case, especially at this time of fiscal challenge, is yet another disgraceful example in Conwy where council taxpayers are being served by an inefficient and failing local authority.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23791294.county-council-criticised-255-000-spend-bodlondeb-case/
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on September 30, 2023, 10:14:06 am
COUNCILLORS in Conwy will be asked to decide on the level of council tax premium on long-term empty and second homes in the county for 2024-25 at meetings in the next few weeks.

Members and council officers have been carefully considering the implications, risks and consequences associated with various options for council tax premiums that might be applied.

The public was also asked for opinions in a consultation which took place between June 5 and July 14, when 373 responses were received.

Now, councillors will be asked to decide whether to accept the recommendations from the Affordable Housing (Council Tax Premium) Working Group which met earlier this year:

To charge a 100 per cent council tax premium for both second and long-term empty homes from April 2024.

To recommend an indicative level of premium of 200 per cent on both categories from April 1, 2025, with the introduction of an increased premium of 300 per cent for long-term empty properties which have been empty for five years or more, subject to review during 2024-25.

The reports going before the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee, cabinet, and then full council, set out the deliberations of the working group when considering the impact of premiums.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23823786.conwy-councillors-discuss-second-empty-homes-council-tax-premiums/
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on October 06, 2023, 09:38:59 am
You could not make this up........!    ?       :o         A good example of  how our taxes are spent

Plan for flying electric sea gliders to link Wales and England
The 'crazy' proposal is one of many put forward to try and change the fortunes of a Welsh resort town

Electric-powered sea gliders could be used to glide tourists into Wales from England if this ambitious plan goes ahead. The ambitious proposal is one of several in a 10-year plan to turbo-charge the regeneration of one of Wales' most popular resorts.

Conwy County Council will target external funding from the Welsh Government to help realise its ambition. As well as the sea gliders linking Llandudno to Liverpool, the council also aims to secure a cruise-liner route, reopen a paddling pool, create a new outdoor event space and restore sand to the north shore beach in a bid to revitalise the "queen of Welsh resorts". A council committee met to review a report of more than 130 pages which lays out how Llandudno can be reinvigorated.

cont. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/plan-flying-electric-sea-gliders-27853485?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589#lnecn9xvdkjm33gjd6d
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: norman08 on October 06, 2023, 01:16:15 pm
How many times over the years were they going to run a hovercraft from Liverpool to Rhyl & Llandudno.  😂😂
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on October 10, 2023, 10:33:51 am
North Wales council looks set to adjust its working from home policy
Managers will have the final say in slight adjustment to how Conwy council handles office/home working balance

Conwy is likely to rubberstamp a policy change tomorrow to encourage council staff back into the office, giving managers more authority to request staff return to council buildings to work. The cabinet will meet at its Bodlondeb HQ and consider a new hybrid working policy with a greater emphasis on working at offices ? although staff will still be able to work from home.

The policy change follows Conwy looking to sell Bodlondeb in a bid to get more staff working from its multi-million-pound Colwyn Bay office at Coed Pella. Conwy?s hybrid working guidance was approved by cabinet in April and June 2022 with the model subsequently rolled out to office-based staff as well as councillors.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/north-wales-council-looks-set-27874244
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: norman08 on October 10, 2023, 03:59:31 pm
Does that also mean county councillors will attend Al meetings in the same room, not lying in bed or driving along the road.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on October 14, 2023, 10:29:41 am
The pay increase councillors in Wales can expect next year
Members will see salaries rise next year if the proposals are adopted

The pay increase councillors can expect next year has been announced - with around ?1,000 extra for most members and more than ?3,500 more for some council leaders. The Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales sets out draft proposals on pay, expenses and benefits for elected members of councils, National Park Authorities and Fire and Rescue Authorities.

They have just released their draft proposals for 2024/2025. If implemented it would see the pay for the average county councillor in Wales rise by around 6% to ?18,666. With the senior leadership positions there are different rates based on the size of the local authorities.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/pay-increase-councillors-wales-can-27905844
Title: Re: CCBC ...........Beach ban for dogs set for debate
Post by: SteveH on October 17, 2023, 09:14:45 am
Controversial beach ban for dogs set for debate as council claims stats support the move
Figures show dog fouling has declined in recent years but the beach ban move has triggered huge protests

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/controversial-beach-ban-dogs-set-27919476
Title: Re: CCBC..........Conwy rubberstamps 100% council tax
Post by: SteveH on October 23, 2023, 09:47:42 am
Conwy rubberstamps 100% council tax premium for second and long-term empty homes
'We call these houses second homes, but they are not homes. That is the point'

Conwy County Council voted in favour of charging a 100% council tax premium for both second and long-term empty homes from April 2024. This final decision follows cabinet also agreeing earlier this month and includes an indicative premium level of 200% on both second homes and empty properties from April 1, 2025.

At that same time, an increased premium of 300% will be introduced for properties empty for five years or more, subject to a review during 2024/2025. It is hoped the premium will help bring long-term empty homes back into use, increasing the supply of affordable housing, enhancing the sustainability of communities, and helping meet the county?s housing needs.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/conwy-rubberstamps-100-council-tax-27949198?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting.............massive council tax shake and Pay rise
Post by: SteveH on November 14, 2023, 10:00:14 am
Details of massive council tax shake up in Wales to be announced today
New bands and changes to tax rates may be among the changes announced

The consultation will ask people's views on how to make council tax fairer, including potentially adding new council tax bands and changing the tax-rates. The consultation will also include timescales about changes, WalesOnline reports. This afternoon, finance minister Rebecca Evans will make a statement to plenary titled, "delivering a fairer council tax", which is scheduled to last 30 minutes.
cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/details-massive-council-tax-shake-28101515?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589


Conwy councillors debate pay rise as member says 'we work very hard' for constituents
Conwy leader and deputy to receive an extra ?3,500 and ?2,500 each

Conwy councillors debated their pay rise after draft figures were set by an independent panel. Whilst most councillors are getting just over ?1,000 a year extra, the leader?s pay packet will increase by over ?3,500 and the deputy leader?s by over ?2,500.

Under the proposals, cabinet members will get over ?2,150 a year more. The Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (IRPW) has issued its draft annual report, setting the range and level of payments for councillors for the financial year 2024/25. These increases will see rates rise by about six per cent across the board.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/conwy-councillors-debate-pay-rise-28099652?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on November 15, 2023, 10:40:23 am
See what council tax band your house would be in under Welsh Government proposals
There will be 'winners and losers' as a result of the first major overhaul in more than two decades

The Government says this is not a way to make more money and that it doesn't intend to change the total amount of revenue collected in council tax, but to make the system fairer.

While not everyone would see changes, there will be "winners and losers". Based on the preliminary results of preparatory revaluation work of the Valuation Office Agency, the following tables provide an indication of the modern property values which relate to the three approaches discussed.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/see-what-council-tax-band-28105847

PS...point to ponder?
Those who pay a higher rate, get nothing extra in return, and the increased value of their house only benifits those who inherit later on.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on November 17, 2023, 10:15:20 am
The Welsh Government has said it may scrap property taxes and switch to raising local revenues based on ?land values?. No implementation date has been set but non-domestic rates could disappear first, followed by council taxes.

A land value tax is a basic levy irrespective of what the land is used for. Instead, its value depends mainly on its location and its permitted uses.

Values rise if the land has access to good quality roads, rail, broadband, shops, schools and hospitals. Noise and air pollution can depress values. Usually the tax is paid annually.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/wales-considers-scrapping-council-tax-28118876
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on November 18, 2023, 10:28:36 am
Debate over who will pay for loos so people can spend a penny in Conwy county
One council accepts there's a need for them but it faces financial pressures with an overall ?30m budget shortfall

Public toilets could be handed over to town and community councils to look after in a new move to save money in one county. Councils don't legally need to provide toilets and Conwy Council is exploring new ways to run them.

It suggests one solution is ask town and community councils to operate them and it has invited residents to make comments in a public consultation. The consultation ends on Monday, November 20.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/debate-over-how-who-pay-28123187
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Robert2020 on November 18, 2023, 02:36:05 pm
The problem with this council is that they don't see the benefits of visitor's to the county...

Llandudno without tourists wouldn't exist as it does today. The town shops cannot be supported by the local population alone, many are senior with lower daily needs and requirements. Local families are on limited funds...many employed in tourism and laid off during the winter months.

So Conwy council needs to keep the visitors coming and should provide the 48 toilet points in the county....yes it costs 600,000 a year and another 20,000 for the vandalism but the revenue generated by the visitors is vast....(https://www.conwy.gov.uk/en/Resident/Leisure-sport-and-health/Community-Facilities/Public-Toilets/assets/images/DRAFT-Public-Toilet-Strategy-v02.pdf)

If the council are short of money then start by looking at the costs of running this council....remove the waste, cut the workforce.... Conwy has a population of 118,200 (https://www.conwy.gov.uk/en/Council/Statistics-and-research/Population/Assets/documents/Population-profile-bulletin-202110.pdf) and a workforce of 6954  ( https://www.conwy.gov.uk/en/Council/Strategies-Plans-and-Policies/Equality-and-diversity/Assets/documents/Eq-Employee-Monitoring/Employment-Monitoring-Report-2020-2021.pdf)  compare that to Flintshire Council...156,000 residents, 6113 staff (https://www.greenjobs.co.uk/companies/flintshire-county-council). Do not place the costs on the town council as their funds already support many things Conwy Council do not support.

This council need a radical rethink about its future before it is bankrupt because of poor decisions which will destroy the visitor numbers and lead to a drop in revenue.

Keep the toilets and cut out the waste.





Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on November 18, 2023, 03:03:30 pm
Excellent post, with a fitting ending.....Keep the toilets and cut out the waste.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on November 26, 2023, 10:14:08 am
A Conwy councillor has branded a decision to spend ?250,000 on consultancy fees ridiculous, criticising the council?s intention to sell Bodlondeb, moving staff and councillors to Coed Pella in Colwyn Bay. Speaking at a finance and resources overview scrutiny committee this week, Cllr Sian Grady slammed the decision.

Conwy is facing a ?20m to ?30m budget shortfall next year, having already increased council tax by 9.9% last year as well as forcing services to make 10% cuts ? with even schools having to slash budgets by 5%. Conwy?s cabinet rubber-stamped the decision to spend the ?250,000 on consultancy fees in September, hoping to sell the grade-two listed Bodlondeb to cut costs and raise funds.

But some councillors retrospectively criticised this decision, arguing a strategic vision for the council?s assets needed to be in place before spending quarter of a million pounds. The committee was debating a report on its corporate risks when Cllr Harry Saville asked cabinet member for sustainable economy Cllr Nigel Smith a question.

Cllr Saville said the report indicated that Conwy didn?t currently have an asset management vision, questioning the wisdom of spending ?250,000 on consultant fees without that in place. He said, ?We'll see that the council apparently has no strategic vision for use of its assets.

?I'll take the report as correct that we have no strategic plan. In light of that, is it really sensible for us to be looking at spending almost ?250,000 on a consultancy study to remodel Coed Pella, which is a pretty new building, right now, in light of the financial position we find ourselves in?

?Should this really be a priority now? Should it not wait until we have that larger asset management plan and we know what our plans are for our office and accommodation portfolio for the council? I don't know if Nigel (Cllr Smith) has any thoughts on that.?

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/cash-strapped-council-slammed-250000-28163191?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Hugo on November 26, 2023, 01:45:08 pm
Conwy is facing a ?20m to ?30m budget shortfall next year, having already increased council tax by 9.9% last year as well as forcing services to make 10% cuts ? with even schools having to slash budgets by 5%. Conwy?s cabinet rubber-stamped the decision to spend the ?250,000 on consultancy fees in September, hoping to sell the grade-two listed Bodlondeb to cut costs and raise funds.

Why do the Councillors not stand up and object if they think that things are wrong?      Consultants were approached for Llandudno's two beaches and look what has happened to the beaches.   I've a feeling that Conwy's cabinet rubber stamped those too and it has cost the ratepayers millions of pounds by their decisions.
If anyone wants to see CCBC in action then have a look at the video of any planning application, I guarantee that it'll be an eye opener and you can understand where the phrase of "nodding donkeys" comes from

Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on November 28, 2023, 10:50:12 am
Conwy councillors backed a public toilet strategy proposing to increase charges on pay-as-you-go toilets, transfer management to town councils, or even ?drastically reduce? the number of facilities.

The council currently manages 48 public toilets as well as 22 baby-changing facilities.

During the summer the various public toilets are opened daily between 7am and 10am. They then close between 7pm and 9 pm but shut between 4.30pm and 5.30pm in the winter months.

Two toilets are staffed daily at Betws y Coed and Llandudno and cleaned at regular intervals whilst other sites are attended in rounds during the day.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23949619.conwy-councillors-back-new-public-toilet-strategy/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on December 02, 2023, 11:12:36 am
CONWY'S cabinet has backed a toilet strategy that could see the county council ask town councils to pay for public toilets ? if they want to keep them.

During the meeting at Bodlondeb, cabinet members backed the strategy which proposes ?drastically reducing? the number of toilets as one option as part of the cost-cutting exercise.

And leader Cllr Charlie McCoubrey said vandalism was a blight on public toilets before suggesting people should instead use facilities at supermarkets, rather than the whole cost fall on the taxpayer.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23958216.conwy-urge-town-councils-pick-cost-public-toilets/

Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting...........Bankruptcy would be ?horrendous, bloody
Post by: SteveH on December 03, 2023, 11:16:16 am
COUNCILLORS in Conwy have been warned bankruptcy would be ?horrendous, bloody, and draconian?.

The local authority faces a budget black hole of up to ?30m next year, alongside a ?3m overspend this year.

During a meeting of the council?s cabinet at Bodlondeb this week, councillors were warned they may have to consider cutting statutory services to balance the books.

The council?s head of finance painted a bleak picture of what filing for bankruptcy would look like after council leader Charlie McCoubrey asked him to explain hypothetically what would happen if Conwy issued a 114 notice ? declaring itself bankrupt.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23961004.bankruptcy-horrendous-bloody-draconian-conwy/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting..Conwy is teetering on the edge of bankruptcy
Post by: SteveH on December 07, 2023, 09:43:18 am
A COUNCIL leader has written to the Welsh Government?s finance minister, warning local authorities are teetering on the edge of bankruptcy, a matter at the forefront of Conwy councillors? minds.

Leader Cllr Charlie McCoubrey?s fears are highlighted in a leaked letter to Welsh finance minister Rebecca Evans in which he describes the financial position as becoming unmanageable.

Meanwhile a council report this week proposed another council tax rise, modelling for up to a 10 per cent increase raising another ?7.1m from rate payers.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23973626.leaked-letter-conwy-teetering-edge-bankruptcy/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on December 09, 2023, 10:03:03 am
A COUNCILLOR has called for schools to be closed to help a cash-strapped council avoid potential bankruptcy.

Paul Luckock, who represents Pensarn Pentre Mawr, told a Conwy County Council finance scrutiny committee that it was an ?absolute no brainer that we?ve got to tackle this issue?.

His proposal comes as it was revealed the authority was modelling for a council tax rise of up to 10% from April as it still faces a budget shortfall of ?24.5million ? even after it authorised the highest council tax rise (9.9%) in Wales last year.

But his ?repeated? suggestions of school closures got short shrift from Conwy?s lead member for education Cllr Julie Fallon who reminded him of the importance of the Welsh language and providing for rural communities in the county.

cont https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/23975877.councillor-calls-close-schools-save-conwy-bankruptcy/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Ian on December 09, 2023, 11:20:51 am
Paul Luckock is one of the 47 ex-Liverpool councillors who were charged personally for failing to set a legal rate in Liverpool in the 1980s.

Some voters never, ever learn from history; the Liverpool situation was brought about by the egregious Thatcher and her small-minded and petty desire to eliminate any who disagreed with her and her right wing policies. Through that perspective alone, Luckock is wrong to invoke the image of Liverpool in the '80s. What's happening now is what always happens when the economically deprived see a significant sector of society doing very nicely out of the situation.

The wealthy continue to place their own wealth at the focus of their own needs and view those who endure politically imposed privation as culpable in their own condition. In that context it's worth remembering that UK law is heavily biassed against the deprived.



Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on December 12, 2023, 09:50:55 am
Update..

Councillor who proposed shutting Conwy schools to save cash rejects call to resign
Resident wrote in to ask for him to step down from his role

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/councillor-who-proposed-shutting-conwy-28269110
Title: Re: 30 Conwy projects to benefit from ?20million
Post by: SteveH on December 15, 2023, 12:37:56 pm
A TOTAL of 31 projects in Conwy are to benefit from a share of more than ?20million from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

The UKSPF is a central pillar of the UK Government?s Levelling Up agenda and will provide ?2.6billion of funding for investment across the UK by March 2025.

Conwy was awarded an allocation of more than ?20m to invest and spend by March 2025, with successful projects including initiatives that promote adult numeracy, enhance the employability of people with a sensory loss, and improve community facilities.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23989588.30-conwy-projects-benefit-20million-funding/

Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on December 16, 2023, 10:15:10 am
Council admits it can't afford to properly maintain roads and car parks
A pause on spending means vandalised toilets will close and road markings will be left unpainted

Conwy Council cannot afford to properly maintain car park and roads, and doesn't have the money to cut back hedges. The councillor responsible for such activity said the council's pause on spending means vandalised public toilets will close and road markings will be left unpainted.

There will also be no investment in new street lighting or community skips. Speaking at a recent finance and resources scrutiny committee, cabinet member for environment, roads, and facilities (ERF) Cllr Goronwy Edwards gave a list of cuts the council had made this financial year.
cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/council-admits-cant-afford-properly-28297801?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589


PS
ABOUT 500 people have signed an online petition
calling on Conwy County Borough Council to scrap plans to introduce ?pay and display? at the Glasdir car park, beside the A470 in Llanrwst.

On December 7, the council voted to fund the additional ?12,000 required to resurface the Watling Street car park through pay and display at both Watling Street and Glasdir.

The former already has pay and display. The other ?249,000 is being awarded as a grant by the UK Government.
cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23988993.hundreds-sign-petition-stop-llanrwst-pay-display-plans/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on December 19, 2023, 09:36:26 am
Cash-strapped Conwy Council is paying out nearly ?6.5m in home-to-school transport costs a year. They could now look to cut taxis for some children, including Welsh speakers and children with additional needs.

The council is preparing a public consultation questionnaire to gauge where cuts can be made if it alters its home-to-school transport policy.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/council-looking-trim-65m-home-28311984?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting.......Tax rises and service cuts loom
Post by: SteveH on December 21, 2023, 10:04:56 am
Tax rises and service cuts loom as two North Wales councils get just 2% budget rise
Gwynedd and Conwy had the lowest increases in Wales in terms of the local government settlement

Two North Wales councils have received the lowest local government settlements in the country. Both Conwy and Gwynedd will get just a 2% budget increase.

Denbighshire, at 3.7%, received the most in the region while Newport in Gwent, south Wales, had the highest settlement in Wales, receiving a 4.7% hike. Flintshire will receive the third lowest rise in Wales at 2.2%, Anglesey an additional 2.5%, and Wrexham 3.2%.

Other south Wales councils such as Cardiff and Swansea received increases of 4.1% and 3.8% respectively. The average increase across Wales is 3.1%, and leaders are already warning the below inflation settlements will inevitably mean large council tax rises and cuts in already stretched services.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/tax-rises-service-cuts-loom-28326681?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589



Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting........Wales social services face cuts
Post by: SteveH on January 02, 2024, 09:40:51 am
Wales social services face cuts over ?646m budget gap

Social services in Wales have forecast a budget gap of ?646m over the next three years.

Councils, which provide support and care to communities, have warned that cuts will have to be made unless they receive extra funding.

The Welsh government said it faced an incredibly tough financial situation.

The Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) said councils were facing record levels of demand in both children's and adult services.

That has led to a ?108.7m overspend this year.

The WLGA and the Association of Directors of Social Services have predicted their funding gaps in social services if services stay the same for the next three years.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-67856156
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on January 03, 2024, 10:20:32 am
Conwy Council's cabinet will consider charging schools interest on bridging loans. The cabinet will meet at the council?s Bodlondeb HQ next Tuesday (January 9) to discuss the controversial proposals in light of the ?24.5m black hole the council faces next year.

It comes after education budgets were slashed by 5% across the board last year, with council tax upped by 9.9% and service budgets elsewhere slashed by 10%. The latest proposed move would save the cash-strapped authority over ?39,000.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/cash-strapped-council-could-start-28378266?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

			
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on January 12, 2024, 10:01:41 am
Update

Conwy?s cabinet unanimously voted in favour of charging cash-strapped schools interest on bridging loans. The cabinet met at Conwy ?s Bodlondeb HQ this week to discuss the controversial plans as the council faces a ?24.5m black hole next year.

The move follows education budgets being slashed by 5% across the board, council tax being upped by 9.9%, and service budgets elsewhere being slashed by 10%. But charging schools interest on loans from the council will generate around ?39,000 for Conwy.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/conwy-council-charge-schools-interest-28427700
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on January 13, 2024, 09:14:10 am
Conwy?s leader has slammed the funding formula used to calculate how much money the authority is awarded by the Welsh Government annually.

In December both Conwy and Gwynedd came bottom of the local government settlement table of 22 Welsh authorities with just a 2% budget rise.

Conwy?s sum amounts to less than an extra ?4m extra in 2024/25, despite teacher and council staff pay increases of ?12m, inflation, and rising costs.

Whilst Gwynedd was bottom with Conwy with just a 2% rise, Denbighshire at 3.7% received the highest percentage increase in North Wales whilst Newport in Gwent, south Wales, had the highest settlement in the country, receiving a 4.7% hike.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/24045140.conwy-council-leader-funding-formula-unfair/

Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on January 17, 2024, 09:42:56 am
Two counties linked by a landmark bridge could soon be separated by a large gulf in care fees if proposed plans go through. A care group has welcomed Conwy council?s proposal to increase fees by up to 20% after warnings that care homes were at risk of financial meltdown and closure.

But Care Forum Wales (CFW) chairman Mario Kreft has highlighted the gap that will now exists between that local authority and across the Foryd Bridge in Denbighshire - which is looking at an 8% hike. They said Denbighshire will be paying ?9,224 a year less per person than Conwy towards the cost of giving exactly the same level of nursing care to residents, which could work out at nearly ?370,000 a year at a 40-bed care home.

The proposed fee increases in Conwy will go before the council?s Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee for ratification next Monday (January 22). According to CFW, they came about because the council commissioned leading healthcare economists Laing & Buisson to analyse the true costs of care providers for the current year.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/9k-gap-could-open-up-28458812?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on January 20, 2024, 10:27:05 am
Conwy ratepayers could be facing a double digit council tax hike. A Conwy County Council finance report has modelled for an 11% rise. And the cash-strapped council is proposing a range of cuts, which include cutting or reducing nappy bag collections from once weekly to once monthly, closing public toilets, and reducing library opening hours.

The authority is around ?25m in the red, and consequently has modelled for an 8%, 9%, 10%, and 11% council tax rise. This follows a huge 9.9% increase last year, meaning Conwy residents could be paying 20% more in council tax in April 2024 than 13 months before.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/conwy-ratepayers-facing-double-digit-28479572
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on January 21, 2024, 09:57:17 am
See how much your Council owes as local authority debts hit ?122bn
David Dubas-Fisher says experts have predicted an 'extreme and long-lasting' impact on local services, look at our interactive map to find out more about your area

Conwy
Total amassed debt: ?115,556,000
Debt per person: ?1,006

"Small district councils have very little room for manoeuvre when finances are squeezed, relying on charges (such as parking fees) for a lot of their income. Unitary authorities are facing the demographic pressures on social services, social care and special educational needs."

Dame Meg said beyond 'day-to-day pressures', the PAC warned in 2020 that some councils had 'not only pursued strategies' of commercial investment exposing them to 'high levels of risk' but 'normalised behaviour' and 'optimistically believed' there was 'little downside' to commercial activity. The committee chair said we can 'add to this the delay in public sector audits', and many councillors and taxpayers were 'blind to the risk'.

Councils have been urged to undertake commercial investments for the last ten years to generate income sources separate from grants, council tax, rates, fees and charges. Town halls have bought hundreds of assets, from shopping centres to office parks, cinemas, energy firms and housing developments.

full article https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/council-debt-hits-122bn-check-your-local-authority-with-our-interactive-map/

Title: Re: CCBC....THOUSANDS of dwellings are being left unoccupied across Conwy
Post by: SteveH on January 23, 2024, 10:09:24 am
THOUSANDS of dwellings are being left unoccupied across Conwy, Office for National Statistics (ONS) data has shown.

Numbers taken from the ONS census in 2021 found that there are 5,750 empty homes across the county.

Unoccupied dwellings are units of accommodation that have no usual residents.

Some may be used by short-term residents or visitors as second homes, while some are truly vacant ? i.e. no indication of being used as a second home and are not inhabited by short-term residents.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/24067923.5-000-dwellings-conwy-empty-figures-show/
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Helig on January 23, 2024, 12:11:41 pm
This is an outrage when there is a housing crisis. CCBC should contact Brighton and Hove City Council for information on how they deal with empty properties there. When I lived in Hove the council had a policy of identifying empty properties, tracing the owners and offering to buy them. In the event they couldn't trace an owner, or make contact with them, they used to put a compulsory purchase order on and take over the property that way.  Any property which had been empty for 6+ months was targeted. The council would do repairs and any other work necessary. This was very successful and they brought thousands of places back into use for people to live in.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Cambrian on January 23, 2024, 02:24:53 pm
Good point Helig.  Trouble is officers at CCBC recoil at any external suggestions unless they think of them!  Hastings BC imaginatively used Section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act to sort out eyesore or dilapidated properties;  Conwy were asked to do this proactively  a few years ago but not much sign of that happening. 
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on January 25, 2024, 09:29:38 am
Conwy ratepayers are facing an "uncomfortably high" council tax rise and a cut to school budgets but slashing nappy collection services to once monthly is a step too far. That was the view of cash strapped Conwy County Council's leader, councillor Charlie McCoubrey at a cabinet meeting yesterday.

The council is "modelling an 11% council tax hike but it may have to cut the school budget by a further 6%. Cabinet members will ask the council?s heads of service to go back to the drawing board and look at more cuts, having already identified over ?7.7m of savings for 2024/25 - but it still faces a black hole in its budget of around ?25m.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/slashing-nappy-collection-service-step-28500439?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting.....Update on empty homes
Post by: SteveH on January 26, 2024, 10:02:03 am
Wales has six times more empty properties than second homes and these should 'take priority'
A inquiry by MPs is looking at the impact of population changes in Wales on the housing sector and the Welsh language

Bringing empty homes back into use should be the mainstay of attempts to ease the housing crisis in Wales, MPs heard. Almost six times more properties in the country are classed as empty than there are second homes, the Welsh Affairs Committee was told.

The House of Commons committee has launched an inquiry into the impact of population change in Wales. This week it examined how net migration is affecting housing stocks and the Welsh language ? and what can be done to provide desperately needed homes.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/wales-six-times-more-empty-28510356

Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on January 29, 2024, 12:56:09 pm
Conwy councillors slammed the Welsh Government for offering a grant of ?1.575m to pay towards new electric recycling vehicles whilst the council struggles to meet education and social service bills. Cash-strapped Conwy faces a huge council tax rise and widespread service cuts after receiving the lowest local government settlement rise in Wales together with Gwynedd.

But whilst the council is busy trying to balance its books for 2024/25, the Welsh Government dropped a one-time non-negotiable take-it-or-leave it offer for Conwy to receive a grant of ?1.575m. The money will fund nine new recycling vehicles, some of which will be electric, helping Conwy meet Welsh Government carbon-emission targets.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/welsh-governments-take-leave-offer-28519874?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on January 31, 2024, 10:07:55 am
The huge cost to just one North Wales county when fierce storms rip into the UK
The cost comes as councils are struggling to balance the books

Storm Babet cost Conwy County Council around ?1.5m, it has been revealed. The storm wreaked havoc across North Wales when it hit between October 18 and 21, 2023, causing widespread damage, transport delays, and flooding.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting, Cllr Goronwy Edwards, lead member for the environment, roads, and facilities, was speculating about the authority having to reduce vital services to balance the books when he revealed the extent of the damage caused by the October storm.

Since the bad weather in October, North Wales has also been battered by storms Isha and Jocelyn, both of which hit last week. "Look at the storms we are having,? said Cllr Edwards. ?Who knows how much cost we're going to have to pick up with some of these storms? I know that Storm Babet cost us about ?1.5m. But it's still uncertain whether we will get some funding from the Welsh Government towards that, and we are only in the middle of winter now

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/huge-cost-just-one-north-28520587

Title: Re: CCBC costs ......Council tax rise of nearly 10% for Conwy
Post by: SteveH on February 15, 2024, 09:50:01 am
COUNCIL tax in Conwy is set to rise by nearly 10 per cent for the second year running, meaning residents are likely to pay almost 20 per cent more in April 2024 than they paid in March 2023.

The proposed rise is included in a report set to be debated at a finance committee meeting on Monday, February 19 before the budget is set by full council on February 29.

If agreed, a resident living in a band D property will now pay ?1,733.37 a year ? before police and town council precepts are added. 

full article......... https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/24121157.council-tax-rise-nearly-10-conwy-residents-set-agreed/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on March 01, 2024, 10:03:24 am
COUNCIL tax will increase in Conwy in the 2024-25 financial year as council members attempt to ?do everything we can to protect vital services?.

Members of Conwy County Borough Council have today (February 29) set the budget and council tax for 2024-25.

Councillors supported the recommendation that the council?s part of the ?band D? council tax for 2024-25 be ?1,733.37.

This is an increase of ?152.84 for the year - equivalent to ?2.94 extra per week.

READ MORE: ......... https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/24153827.council-tax-rise-conwy-local-authority-left-8m-gap/
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on March 02, 2024, 09:39:15 am
Cabinet branded 'cloth-eared' after huge council tax rise and school cuts voted through

Conwy leaders slammed but they say they are being forced into difficult decisions due to a poor funding settlement

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/cabinet-branded-cloth-eared-after-28730456
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on March 05, 2024, 09:53:38 am
PLANS for a new waste recycling transfer station in Llandudno Junction were questioned at a Conwy Council meeting this week ? after councillors spoke openly about collaborating with neighbouring Denbighshire.

Conwy has applied to its own planning department, seeking permission for the waste transfer station at Plot 2, Ffordd Maelgwyn, a vacant site formerly used as a car-breaking yard.

If granted permission, the station will be used as a collection point where vehicles and containers will be emptied and waste checked.

cont https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/24160141.new-conwy-recycling-centre-questioned/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on March 06, 2024, 09:48:06 am
'Hissing, booing, bullying and heckling' during Welsh council debate sparks complaint
Lively exchanges over Conwy's budget has sparked accusations of 'intimidation' and 'harassment'

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/hissing-booing-bullying-heckling-during-28751060
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting..... Council staff happy with flexible work
Post by: SteveH on March 15, 2024, 09:54:02 am
AN EQUALITY report has revealed 78% of Conwy?s staff believe the council?s flexible approach to working improves their work-life balance.

An employment monitoring report presented to Conwy?s cabinet by Cllr Chris Cater gave a breakdown of the demographic of who the authority employs as part of a 2022/23 equality report.

The report said 73% of Conwy?s workforce are female compared to just 27% male, and the figures include permanent, fixed term, and casual employees.

But the report stated many council staff were happy with the authority?s flexible approach to working.

full report..... https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/24185044.78-per-cent-conwy-council-staff-happy-flexible-work/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Cambrian on March 15, 2024, 05:42:15 pm
I read this again and wondered if I'm missing something.  If 73% of Conwy CBC staff are female and and "just" 27% are male, one wonders as to the purpose of this "Equality" report.  Perhaps Cllr Cater could say what is proposed to be done to address the apparent sexual inequality.  After all, if our friends are insisting they want 50% female MSs why should Conwy be any different ?
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting....Large pay increase for Conwy councillors😢
Post by: SteveH on March 19, 2024, 09:43:48 am
COUNCILLORS voted 13-0 in favour of a 5.7 per cent pay rise which is set by an independent body........ :o

The hike mean?s Conwy council?s leader and deputy leader will take home an extra ?3,598 and ?2,519 respectively.

Cabinet members will get an extra ?2,159 a year whilst the basic salary for backbenchers has also increased by ?1,066.

The rise means Conwy ?s leader and deputy leader have received ?13,024 and ?8,779 respectively over a three-year period. The remuneration package was debated at a democratic services committee meeting in Bodlondeb today.

read more ...https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/24194198.large-pay-increase-conwy-councillors-cuts/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589
Title: Re: CCBC....How your council tax bill compares with other counties
Post by: SteveH on March 22, 2024, 10:26:19 am
Council tax payers across Wales are currently in the process of finding out what their bills will be for the coming financial year - with big hikes across the nation from April. Many households are seeing near 10% increases in their council tax bills for the coming year.

The average Band D increase for Wales is ?145(a 7.7% rise), made up of ?122 for county councils and ?23 for police. Pembrokeshire has the largest overall percentage increase of 11.2%. Torfaen has the smallest overall band D percentage increase of 5.4%

Read more and stats.... https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/how-your-council-tax-bill-28860483
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: DVT on March 22, 2024, 10:48:30 am
Received my statement the other day - band C single-occupancy - ?124pm risen to ?142pm ... a rise of near 15% - that's a bit more than the claimed "near 10%".
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Robert2020 on March 23, 2024, 05:15:38 pm
Wish mine was that....I'm on Westshore in an 'f' band and the new total is 3092?...or 258 month (12) up from 237 I see that the town council get 83 and the police 505 from that figure.

My son lives in Didsbury ( South Manchester) bins are emptied weekly, no extra charge for the garden bin, local tip which takes everything without an appointment and a tram/bus system which puts our Arriva to shame and his rates on a 650k  3 bed semi are  2200.
 
Before we moved here we had a second home for 10yrs  near the tram station and we love Llandudno so decided to reside here....just around the time councils decided a premium was to be added to second homes. This year it is 100% on the whole amount.

My wife's brother has a second home in the town and his new rates bill will be around 4400?, he owned it before covid and couldn't use it during that time but still had to pay the premium.

The interesting thing is although the premium is on the whole amount the police and town council don't get the extra....it all goes to the council... they love the premium.

He's here most weekends and spends money in the town...does not use the schools, social services or even his waste bin ( takes the rubbish home) this premium goes into the housing budget yet today I saw three tents on Westshore with homeless camping.

I do think its time for a rethink on the cost of rates on properties and the way in which the council spend / allocate money...

The Welsh government also need to do more .take a look at the money spent at the three roundabouts they have just removed the bushes from to prevent birds carrying the seed to limestone outcrops , the money spent on a cycle lanes on the main routes into the area, tens of thousands for project's that few people will use at those locations, meanwhile roads are falling apart, the local NHS always failing and in special measures.

I?m sure worse is coming, the WA have been doing a revaluation of all domestic properties and it sounds like in 2025 there will be more bands and thus some of us will be paying even more.
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: Hugo on March 23, 2024, 06:15:38 pm
I'm in the same boat as you Robert,  Band F and rates payable of 307.00 per month but we don't have the luxury of street lights,  road surfaces, pavements or surface water drainage.   Plus half the houses in the road are on septic tanks and the remainder on main drainage
You only have to look at reports on the forum and you can see the costly blunders that CCBC has made and continues to do so
What I don't like is the idea of Wales having a revaluation of the Council Tax bands.   Wales, like Scotland had a revaluation some years ago but England for some reason didn't have one and they certainly won't talk about it in this election year
Title: Re: CCBC costs and cutting
Post by: SteveH on March 24, 2024, 09:51:29 am
Well said, I agree completely with the above comments, especially the waste and misuse of our taxes.
Title: Re: Free car parks in Conwy set to introduce charges
Post by: SteveH on March 28, 2024, 09:54:53 am
Conwy will introduce charges at two of its free car parks this week. And prices are set to increase at all Conwy ?s pay-and-display car parks from Friday (March 29), in time for the busy bank holiday weekend.

The extra cost to drivers follows the authority slashing front-line service budgets and increasing council tax by 9.67%. The cash-strapped authority is blaming the Welsh Government for the move after receiving the joint lowest rise in Wales of its annual local government settlement.

Free car parks at Llanfairfechan promenade and Plas yn Dre in Llanrwst will see parking charges introduced from 80p for one hour, ?1.60 for two, ?3.60 for up to four hours, ?5 for over four hours, and ?6.20 for 24 hours. Drivers will even be charged ?1.20 to park overnight. New increased pay-and-display charges will also be introduced across the county but will vary car park to car park.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/free-car-parks-conwy-set-28887652