Janet Finch-Saunders, Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy, has spoken out in frustration at the decision by the Conwy First, Welsh Labour, and Plaid Cymru led Conwy County Borough Council to increase council tax by 9.9%.
Councillors supported the recommendation that Conwy County Borough Council’s part of the Band D Council Tax for 2023/24 be increased to £1,580.53.
Commenting on the council tax rise, Janet said:
“Growth in regular pay among employees in Great Britain was at 6.4% in September to November 2022, so there is no doubt that the 9.9% rise cannot be justified, especially when Torfaen has managed 1.9%.
“Residents are being targeted for more money from all directions, which is making many poorer and causing serious financial hardship.
“Alongside changing the funding formula used by the Welsh Government so to calculate how much money is allocated to local authorities, what is clear to me is that the Conwy Cabinet lacks innovation, which has led to an extortionate increase.
“Ideas include looking at asset management, reducing the number of empty properties, cutting down on wasteful spend, and reviewing the management structure.
“I am appalled that this new Cabinet elected only 10 months ago has betrayed our residents and the very people who put them into power”.
ENDS
Mae Janet Finch-Saunders, AS Aberconwy, wedi mynegi'i rhwystredigaeth gyda phenderfyniad Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Conwy dan arweiniad Conwy'n Gyntaf, Llafur Cymru, a Phlaid Cymru i gynyddu'r dreth gyngor 9.9%.
Fe wnaeth cynghorwyr gefnogi'r argymhelliad bod rhan Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Conwy o'r Dreth Gyngor Band D ar gyfer 2023/24 yn cael codi i £1,580.53.
Meddai Janet:
“6.4% oedd y twf mewn cyflogau rheolaidd ymhlith gweithwyr Prydain ym mis Medi i fis Tachwedd 2022, felly does dim dwywaith nad oes modd cyfiawnhau'r codiad o 9.9%, yn enwedig pan mae Torfaen wedi llwyddo gydag 1.9%.
“Mae trigolion yn cael eu targedu am fwy o arian o bob cyfeiriad, sy'n gwneud llawer yn dlotach ac yn achosi caledi ariannol difrifol.
“Ochr yn ochr â newid y fformiwla ariannu a ddefnyddir gan Lywodraeth Cymru i gyfrifo faint o arian sy'n cael ei ddyrannu i awdurdodau lleol, yr hyn sy'n amlwg i mi yw'r diffyg arloesi ymhlith Cabinet Conwy, sydd wedi arwain at y cynnydd gwarthus hwn.
“Ymhlith y syniadau mae edrych ar reoli asedau, lleihau nifer yr eiddo gwag, cwtogi ar wariant gwastraffus, ac adolygu'r strwythur rheoli.
“Rwy'n arswydo bod y Cabinet newydd hwn a etholwyd prin 10 mis yn ôl wedi bradychu ein trigolion a'r union bobl sy'n eu rhoi mewn grym”.
DIWEDD
Llun: Janet Finch-Saunders AS
