Janet Finch-Saunders, Member of the Senedd for Bangor, Conwy, Môn, held a public meeting in Beaumaris last night. More than 250 people attended and raised a number of serious concerns about issues affecting the area.
It is fair that whilst other matters were raised, the tensions felt about the lack of dialogue and communication from the town council, along with other associated issues, certainly dominated the many contributions made. Particular concerns were raised as to how currently, seat vacancies are dealt with and how the democratic accountability and governance could be strengthened in some way.
Following the meeting Janet commented:
“I want to thank everyone who attended and contributed to this important meeting, and particularly to recognise the respectful and constructive way in which people came together, to make their voices heard. I was very pleasantly surprised with the turnout of over 250 individuals to include business owners, representatives of local community groups and actual elected councillors of Beaumaris town council. What was clear from the strength of feeling in the room is that local residents have serious and deeply held concerns about the way their community is being governed.
She added:
“The issues raised, particularly around transparency, financial probity and democratic accountability, was most disappointing to hear. Allegations of a distinct lack of support for much loved local groups, scrapping of high profile events, bringing thousands into the local economy was also difficult to swallow.Of particular interest to me was the actual due process when vacant seats become available as a result of recent alleged resignations.
Janet added
“Residents and council tax payers have a vested interest and are entitled at the very least to good communications, openness, and proper procedure when these seat vacancies arise.
“With local government elections less than nine months away, it is imperative that our council tax payers and residents are able to vote for the person/ s of their choice. Given my own local government experience and knowledge spanning over some 31 years, I am looking forwards to the challenge ahead of working with the local community and indeed the town council, should they require my support.”
Furthermore she said:
“Given the many tensions raised during the meeting, it is very obvious to me and others that doing nothing now is not an option.”
ENDS
Photo: Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS
Cynhaliodd Janet Finch-Saunders, yr Aelod o'r Senedd dros etholaeth Bangor Conwy Môn, gyfarfod cyhoeddus ym Miwmares neithiwr. Daeth dros 250 o bobl i’r cyfarfod a rhannwyd nifer o bryderon difrifol am faterion sy'n effeithio ar yr ardal.
Mae'n deg dweud, er bod materion eraill wedi cael eu codi, bod y tensiynau a deimlir am y diffyg deialog a chyfathrebu gan y cyngor tref, ynghyd â materion cysylltiedig eraill, yn sicr yn dominyddu'r cyfraniadau niferus a wnaed. Codwyd pryderon penodol ynghylch sut mae seddi gwag yn cael eu trin ar hyn o bryd a sut y gellid cryfhau'r atebolrwydd democrataidd a llywodraethu mewn rhyw ffordd.
Yn dilyn y cyfarfod, dywedodd Janet:
"Rwyf am ddiolch i bawb a fynychodd ac a gyfrannodd at y cyfarfod pwysig hwn, ac yn enwedig i gydnabod y ffordd barchus ac adeiladol y daeth pobl at ei gilydd, i sicrhau bod eu lleisiau yn cael eu clywed. Cefais fy synnu ar yr ochr orau gyda’r nifer a oedd yn bresennol, dros 250 o unigolion gan gynnwys perchnogion busnes, cynrychiolwyr grwpiau cymunedol lleol a chynghorwyr etholedig cyngor tref Biwmares. Yr hyn a oedd yn amlwg o gryfder y teimlad yn yr ystafell yw bod gan drigolion lleol bryderon difrifol a dwfn am y ffordd y mae eu cymuned yn cael ei llywodraethu.
Ychwanegodd:
"Roedd y materion a godwyd, yn enwedig ynghylch tryloywder, didwylledd ariannol ac atebolrwydd democrataidd, yn siomedig iawn i'w clywed. Roedd clywed honiadau o ddiffyg cefnogaeth amlwg i grwpiau lleol poblogaidd a sgrapio digwyddiadau proffil uchel oedd yn dod â miloedd i'r economi leol yn anodd. O ddiddordeb arbennig i mi oedd y drefn briodol pan fydd seddi gwag ar gael o ganlyniad i ymddiswyddiadau honedig diweddar.
Ychwanegodd Janet
"Mae gan breswylwyr a thalwyr treth gyngor fuddiant breintiedig ac mae ganddyn nhw hawl i gael cyfathrebu da, agored, ac yn sicr mae ganddyn nhw hawl i weithdrefn briodol pan fydd y swyddi gwag hyn yn codi.
"Gydag etholiadau llywodraeth leol lai na naw mis i ffwrdd, mae'n hanfodol bod ein talwyr treth gyngor a'n trigolion yn gallu pleidleisio dros yr unigolyn/ion o'u dewis. O ystyried fy mhrofiad a'm gwybodaeth fu hun am lywodraeth leol sy'n rhychwantu dros 31 mlynedd, rwy'n edrych ymlaen at yr her o weithio gyda'r gymuned leol a’r cyngor tref, pe bai angen fy nghefnogaeth arnyn nhw."
Dywedodd hefyd:
"O ystyried y tensiynau niferus a godwyd yn ystod y cyfarfod, mae'n amlwg iawn i mi ac eraill nad yw gwneud dim yn opsiwn bellach."
DIWEDD
Llun: Janet Finch-Saunders AS/MS
