The decision to introduce monthly bin collections at Conwy Council has provoked anger from Assembly Members.

The idea of monthly collections was first floated by the previous Labour-Plaid administration, and AMs are “disgusted” at the move to 4-weekly collections.

The decision was taken by Conwy Council’s cabinet, with the vast majority Conservative councillors in the coalition group voting against the plan.

Commenting, Shadow Local Government Secretary, Janet Finch-Saunders, said:

“Conwy Council is on the verge of becoming the first local authority to introduce monthly bin collections in Wales, and residents are worried that this will lead to more incidents of fly tipping, as well as other hygiene issues.

“With council tax set to rise again, it seems that local residents are being asked to pay more in return for less.

“Families and households struggling with three-weekly collections will be rightly concerned as to how they will manage next year.

“Whilst the decision is disappointing, it is heartening that the majority of Conservative Cabinet members voted against this preposterous move.

“Those who voted in favour of this proposal should seriously question their ability to fully represent the views of our hardworking council taxpayers and pensioners.”

Clwyd West AM, Darren Millar, said:

“I am disgusted by this decision; it shows how out of touch some councillors are with their communities.

“Four weekly bin collections have proved to be extremely unpopular and have resulted in an increase in litter, fly-tipping and pest control incidents in the pilot areas already subjected to them.

“I had hoped that new leadership on the Council would result in a new approach and that four weekly collections would be ditched so I’m sorry to see that this has not been the case.

“There are smarter ways to save money and promote recycling than axing bin collections. This is a step too far and I predict major opposition from local taxpayers.”