The Assembly Member for Aberconwy Janet Finch-Saunders, has written to Natural Resources Wales to request a site meeting and investigation into current works that has seen approx 50000 tons of cobble rock dumped onto Llandudno foreshore, this during the approach to the busy Easter season.

The member, a former Town Councillor and previous Mayor of the town said, "Such is the shock, anger and general frustration with these works that have taken place without any consultation, and with so many in the town referring to it as "now resembling a quarry" I am pursuing this matter with the Welsh Government at the highest level"

"Over the past few weeks I have written to the Head of Service and the Chief Executive asking some pertinent questions, whilst also calling for a formal statement from the Council Leader, however the responses to my queries to date have been less than satisfactory"

"Such is my concern", she said, "I have now obtained copies of the relevant and required Marine Licences from NRW pertaining to the works, and the content of these raises even more serious questions"

Janet added:

"I have given C.C.B.C. every opportunity to respond to my queries on behalf of our affected Business Owners, Constituents and Visitors. I shall also be taking this matter forward to the Welsh Government as they also have some responsibility, having funded this particular project that is costing the taxpayer £1,514,500"

"Whilst I fully appreciate the need to keep our town protected by adequate sea defences, the current works do not resemble anything like the previous scheme. The perceived lack of transparency around this decision and further silence from Conwy Council has done nothing to abate the concerns of many"

The queries posed thus far are as follows:

Why was there no consultation with affected residents, to include seafront hoteliers, Llandudno Town Council and other Business Owners, despite this specifically mentioned as a Licence condition?

Why was there no up to date technical engineering appraisal, carried out prior to these works?  If this was the case please provide the said copies?

Why was there no further options considered prior to the decision to reinstate the so called "like for like" reinstatement?

What are the annual revenue implications for the Local Authority, as regards any ongoing maintenance? (During storms / high tide when this cobble will end up on the promenade) 

Was this decision taken at Cabinet or Council level, and was this matter approved by any 'Scrutiny Committee?"

Is the material provided 'graded' and as stated on the Marine Licence? 

There are many further questions too around whether all notifications have gone out to other relevant marine enforcement bodies - I will be seeking reassurances and evidence of this.

My Constituents and I want Answers - Transparency, Financial Probity and Democratic Accountability within any Local Authority is a MUST!

I echo my earlier calls to the "Democratically Elected" Council Leader, Cllr Dilwyn Roberts to come forward and show some "Democratic Accountability" on this matter, by making a full detailed statement providing these reassurances.