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There is not a single resident in the county borough that doesn’t want cleaner communities. On the doorstep, residents have routinely told me they want to see their local areas looked after.

It is clear that 99% of people hate fly-tipping and condemn the small minority who litter. But the everyday person on the street does expect the council to up its game and get our own house in order.

As leader of this council, I have listened to what people have been saying and I’m therefore proposing the biggest increase in funding to bring about noticeable improvements in our towns and villages across Caerphilly County Borough. So, what does this mean?

Well, it will go far above what can be described as routine maintenance. It means enhanced mechanical sweeping, weed removal, sign clearing, vegetation clearance, gateway improvements, litter collection and more.

If the budget is passed, then we will be able to work on more of the specifics, to make sure this investment is put to best use. Local councillors will have an active role in nominating areas in their ward for improvements, but I would like to reach out beyond elected members and have the residents more involved. 

Cleaning our streets and making our communities nicer places to live will not only benefit residents. But what about the wider picture?

For visitors to our county borough, who will spend money in our local shops and town centres, we need to attract them back. Will they come back if they are less than impressed with cleanliness in the borough

In order to attract bigger employers and events to the county borough, we need a welcoming environment. There is no shame in doing the basics. But do it well.

Of course, such a big investment in a service does come at a cost.

As I said previously, there is no point trying to fool the public by pretending everything can be delivered at no cost.

Politicians need to be grown up, and where we disagree, then it isn’t unreasonable to expect any alternative suggestions to also be fully costed and paid for.

As I said previously, there is no mileage in promoting short-term council tax gimmicks. The public don’t buy it, and it’s not sustainable.

As leader of the council, I’m saying reinvestment in public services is back on the table. But it must be paid for.