The political local rivalry between Labour and Plaid Cymru has been renewed in a war of words about garage rent increases.
In one year, Plaid-led Caerphilly County Borough Council has increased rents by 60% from £5.52 to £8.46. The figures were revealed recently by pressure group Taxpayers Alliance.
Caerphilly’s Labour AM Jeff Cuthbert has criticised the increase.
He said: “The rate of this increase is alarming, especially considering the austere economic climate that has been imposed on people in Wales by the UK Government.
“We all know that local authorities have got to make savings. However, councils in Wales have been dealt a fairer hand than in England, thanks to the hard work of the Welsh Government.
“The Plaid-controlled council are increasing charges such as garage rents and want to force local residents to pay for rail park-and-ride; whilst at the same time promising the earth like a freeze on council tax.
“This is more fantasy economics from Plaid and suggests that they are being fundamentally dishonest with the people of Caerphilly – in effect they’re robbing Peter to pay Paul. Anyone would think there’s an Assembly election around the corner.”
Leading members of Caerphilly’s Plaid Cymru group have hit back at Mr Cuthbert’s criticism.
Councillor Allan Pritchard, deputy leader of council and cabinet member for human resources and constitutional affairs, said: “Perhaps Mr Cuthbert, the out-of-touch Assembly Member for Caerphilly, would be happier if Caerphilly Council followed the lead of his friends in the neighbouring Labour-run authorities and sacked the whole work force and then re-engaged them by slashing their salaries and wages.”
Cllr Colin Mann, cabinet member for corporate finance, said: “We have had to make some difficult decisions in some areas of spending. But at the end of the day Plaid’s proposals to freeze council tax mean that not one of the 77,000 households in the county borough will pay a single penny more on their council tax from April.
“Jeff Cuthbert also said that the rents on the council’s 1,274 garages were being increased to £8.46 a week. Council tenants will, in fact, pay £7.20, while non-tenants pay £8.46 as we are obliged to charge VAT.”
Dear Sir.
Re Mr Cuthbert,AM for Caerphilly,he condems the council for increaing the garage rents by a small amount)
Mr Cuthbert states That there is to be elections soon for the Welsh asembly.Of course there is, he is the Labour candidate.and he will condem every thing the council does.
I would like Mr Cuthbert to state does he support the Labour run councils around Caerphilly sacking thier workers then re-engageing them at a lower rate.I look forward to a respnce from Mr cuthbert.No resonce would indicate he supported the sacking of thier council staff.shame on them.
David Smith.