Caerphilly’s Assembly Member Hefin David has welcomed Welsh Government plans to tackle estate management fees.

The Welsh Government is inviting people from across Wales to discuss their experiences of the issue as part of a consultation.

Dr David AM said: “It is good to see the Welsh Government taking action and not before time. It’s an issue that affects many in Wales and almost everyone who lives in Cwm Calon in Ystrad Mynach.

“I have been working with residents of the estate to simply get the management company to complete necessary work.

“The charges are not acceptable and I will be helping residents make representations to the government.

“We need stronger rules and for local authorities to take charge of public open spaces.”

Resident freeholders living on Redrow’s Cwm Calon estate in Ystrad Mynach have to pay a fee for the estate’s upkeep, such as maintenance to the roads and grass cutting communal areas.

Janine Jones, who lives on the Cwm Calon estate and helped form the Cwm Calon Community Association to liase with the estate management company Meadfleet.

Ms Jones said: “Our annual charges are currently £123 annually but can and do change according to how much work needs to be done on the estate.
“The Welsh Government consultation is welcome, and frankly speaking, long, long overdue.

“Public spaces should be adopted by the local council.
“We would like the Welsh Government to introduce legislation to cap the fees to help us improve standards.”

The consultation began on Friday, February 7 and will be open for 12 weeks.

For more information about taking part in the consultation, visit obv.sr/estmc