With Conwy County Borough Council on the verge of becoming the first Local Authority in Wales to collect refuse every 4 weeks, Janet Finch-Saunders – Assembly Member for Aberconwy, and Shadow Minister for Local Government – said:

“My constituents have every right to feel angry about this outrageous suggestion. The feedback I am getting about these proposals is that it will fall heavily on our families and elderly residents, as well having an impact on our tourism.

“Additionally, there is a real danger that such a move will lead to increased fly-tipping – it’s a false economy. There are other and smarter ways of working within the authority to find efficiencies and save money, and I would urge Councillors now to represent their constituents in Conwy, and reject this ridiculous idea.

“The trolley box system cost taxpayers in the region of £1.5m, and yet week after week I meet with residents who find the system very problematic.

“It is simply not fair to further penalise our hardworking families and pensioners, who already face a further 5% increase to their council tax bill. The last five years have seen an increase of 168% to council tax bills, and I am calling today on the Plaid Cymru-Labour led Conwy County Borough Council to review this proposal – they cannot continue to charge more whilst delivering less.”