Janet Finch-Saunders AM has voiced her concerns at proposals put forward by Conwy County Borough Council to charge for certain materials received at Household Recycling Centres in the county.

The report confirms that consultation on this matter has been carried out with the Cabinet Member for Highways, Environment & Facilities only.

A report detailing such proposals is to be considered by the Customers Overview and Scrutiny Committee at 5pm on Tuesday 1st November 2016.

Janet said:

“The lack of public and stakeholder consultation on this matter is certainly very concerning.

“With bin collections already reduced to just once every three or even four weeks, there is a real danger of increased incidents of fly-tipping, should this proposal go through.

“The Council’s record on prosecuting fly-tippers is appalling, with only 5 prosecutions from 10,509- incidents since 2006-7.

“Proposals to charge a premium of up to 100% council tax on second homes and long-term empty properties threaten to discourage individuals from buying local properties to develop for use, and these potential charges will pose a further concern.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

Link to report: http://modgoveng.conwy.gov.uk/Published/C00000451/M00005084/AI00065008/$ScrutinyHRCDiscretionaryChargingamended.doc.pdf

Fly-tipping prosecution statistics: https://statswales.gov.wales/Catalogue/Environment-and-Countryside/Fly-tipping/flytippingprosecutionoutcomes-by-year

Recording fly-tipping incidents: https://statswales.gov.wales/Catalogue/Environment-and-Countryside/Fly-tipping/recordedflytippingincidents-by-localauthority