Saturday council tax demonstration planned in Conwy

A march against a council tax rise by a group that has amassed more than 6000 followers is set to go ahead tomorrow.
The “Refuse another council tax rise Conwy 2020” Facebook page was set up in response to proposed 7% hike in the charge.
One member, Pete Ayling from Deganwy, is so fed up of what he sees as wasted money by Conwy council that he’s organised two peaceful demonstrations calling for a council tax freeze.
The first will be held tomorrow (Saturday) with the second on Thursday February 27, and both outside the council’s new Coed Pella offices in Colwyn Bay.
Mr Ayling, a builder, said he understands the council’s budgets are being squeezed but he’s fed up of perceived wastage of council tax payer’s cash.
He said: “One night I paid the council tax bill – I pay monthly with a card – and I’m paying 200-odd quid a month.
“I don’t even get bins emptied any more as I live in Deganwy and I got sick of them getting blown all over the place. I pay a private company to collect waste once a month.
“There’s council waste of public finances everywhere I look.”
He pointed to the ill-fated Mochdre Commerce Park which has cost Conwy council more than £600,000 in lease and non-domestic rates between February 2016 and June 2018.
The building leased for decades under the agreement with what is believed to be a 15-year break clause, was supposed to house HGV machinery for the council – but the floors couldn’t take the weight.
The original company who owned the site went bust and the new landlord agreed a stop on rent from June 2018 until the matter was resolved. Conwy is also attempting to claw back more than £234,000 in rates because the site hasn’t been used.
Mr Ayling said the council’s new offices at Coed Pella are a waste of money too, costing £58m all told.
Council leader Sam Rowlands said: “When you look at Coed Pella over the lifetime of the building – it’s like when you look at the cost of your house.
“It may cost £100,000 but over the lifetime of the mortgage it might actually cost you £180,000. Nobody says it cost 180% of the value.”
On the Mochdre issue, Cllr Rowlands said: “I’m not going to argue about Mochdre. We are doing everything we can to resolve the issues there.
“But our budget is over £200m. The issues at Mochdre have cost us an average £200,000 a year – 0.1% of our annual budget. What business is not doing 0.1% wrong?
“I love the fact that we live in a country where people can voice their concerns but I would ask they take the time to read the information that’s available regarding our financial situation.”

By Jez Hemming – Local Democracy Reporter