In his regular blog for Caerphilly Observer South Wales East AM Lindsay Whittle gives his take on recent news.
Bargoed
I showed some visitors around Hanbury Chapel in Bargoed which has been transformed into a hive of community activity with a fantastic new library.
They were asking me when would Caerphilly get a resource like this? Well, I noticed that hoardings are up around the Twyn Post Office site, ready for redevelopment work to start in the town. Caerphilly can look forward to a superb library on this site in the future. It’s on its way.
Bargoed, of course, will be getting a new Morrisons supermarket and I know that many people are anxious to see that development start. There’s a multiplex cinema to look forward to in the future. Despite these tough financial times, exciting things are happening.
Council Tax
I noticed that the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) released details last week of proposed council tax rises across Wales.
They said that Caerphilly was one of just three authorities – Swansea and Monmouthshire are the others – planning to freeze charges.
I proposed a freeze in charges when I was council leader because I felt it was vital that we did not further burden families and individuals struggling financially at these times. Job security is not great at present, wages are being kept down while prices of energy, food and fuel have risen hugely.
The Labour opposition has wanted to push up charges but we felt that would be wrong. Opposition councillors have also complained about rises in some charges such as garage rents or the cost of bulky waste collection. But as I’ve said before it is important to remember these fees are only paid when you use the services while, of course, everyone benefits from lower council taxes.
That brings me to comparisons from the WLGA figures which show residents in neighbouring Rhondda Cynon Taf, which is Labour controlled, will pay £261 more a year in council tax than those living in Caerphilly.
The Band D rate – on which all bills are calculated – will be £1,148 in RCT, compared to just £897 in Caerphilly. These are not Plaid’s figures but the WLGA’s.
Lindsay Whittle
Plaid Cymru South Wales East AM