Following the decision, yesterday, of Conwy County Borough Council to approve the publication of the formal Statutory notice for Amalgamation of Trefriw, Dolgarrog and Tal y Bont schools, despite 61 of the 64 responses to the consultation being against the proposal, Janet Finch-Saunders AM, Shadow Minister for Local Government, said:

“Councils and Councillors must be accountable to their electorate, and this disregard of the views of local people is disappointing.

“Openness, transparency, and – above all – democratic accountability are absolutely vital to ensuring public support and trust in local government, and I will be making robust representations to the consultation – launched yesterday – on the Draft Local Government (Wales) Bill, which includes provisions to increase councillor accountability.”