Latest news with #ConwyCountyCouncil
North Wales Live
14 hours ago
- Politics
- North Wales Live
Llandudno councillors who defected to Reform UK 'should resign'
A Conservative MS has accused two former Tory Llandudno councillors of betraying the electorate by defecting to Reform, calling for their double resignation. Aberconwy MS Janet Finch-Saunders has hit out at former Conservatives Cllr Louise Emery and Cllr Tom Montgomery after they jumped ship to Reform UK. Cllr Emery criticised the former Tory UK government for allowing the UK to 'stagnate and decline' while Cllr Montgomery said he felt 'let down' by the Conservatives. Cllr Emery represents the Gogarth Mostyn ward on Conwy County Council and the Gogarth ward on Llandudno Town Council. Llandudno deputy mayor Cllr Tom Montgomery represents the Tudno ward on both Conwy County Council and Llandudno Town Council. But Mrs Finch-Saunders said the pair should now resign, calling for a by-election, believing that Llandudno voters wanted Conservative representatives, not Reform members. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox. 'Obviously, it comes as some great disappointment to learn that Tom and Louise have defected to Reform,' said Mrs Finch-Saunders. 'I've always been a strong believer that you are only as good as the party you represent, in terms of standing for elections. 'Those voters deserve your trust. In these circumstances, a resignation should come forward for two town council seats and two county council seats. This would allow for the opportunity to prove their worth and stand against other politicians. I'm calling for them to resign and for a by-election to be called." She added: 'I feel they have betrayed the residents who actually voted them in as Conservatives. Put it to the electorate, and that gives them a firm mandate to represent the very same people. Put it to the test that what they've done is the right choice for the residents.' Speaking on behalf of both Cllr Louise Emery and Cllr Tom Montgomery, Cllr Emery said: 'We will respond accordingly tomorrow.' Both Cllr Emery and Cllr Montgomery were critical of Labour and the Conservatives in their resignation statements from the Tory party. Responding on behalf of the Conwy Labour group, leader Hannah Fleet said: 'Obviously they are free to join whatever group they want to join. I'm rather surprised they would join a group that seem to be on record as wishing to privatise the NHS, but they are free to make their own decision.' Conwy Conservative group leader Cllr Cheryl Carlisle declined to comment. Public notices in your area
Wales Online
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Plans for new football stands at leisure centre approved
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Plans for new football spectator stands at a leisure centre were granted planning permission by Conwy Council's planning committee last week. Lynda Griffiths applied to Conwy County Council for permission to erect two 40-foot converted shipping containers as stands at Y Morfa Leisure Centre, Morfa Avenue, Kinmel Bay. The new stands will provide seating for 50 spectators and include wheelchair and disabled access. The refurbished containers will be constructed from Corten Steel, described as a high-durability, corrosion-resistant material, and will be finished in Kinmel Bay Football Club's colours in two shades of blue. Sign up for the North Wales Live newslettersent twice daily to your inbox The existing leisure centre facilities include a main building, showers, toilets, kitchen, spa, squash courts, offices, an all-weather MUGA, a main football pitch, and a large grassed area used for tournaments, cricket, and sports days. Cllr Alan Hunter proposed councillors went with planning officers' advice. This was seconded by Cllr Austin Roberts, and the committee voted unanimously in favour of the planning application. Public notices in your area
North Wales Live
24-06-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Live
Plans for new football stands at leisure centre approved
Plans for new football spectator stands at a leisure centre were granted planning permission by Conwy Council's planning committee last week. Lynda Griffiths applied to Conwy County Council for permission to erect two 40-foot converted shipping containers as stands at Y Morfa Leisure Centre, Morfa Avenue, Kinmel Bay. The new stands will provide seating for 50 spectators and include wheelchair and disabled access. The refurbished containers will be constructed from Corten Steel, described as a high-durability, corrosion-resistant material, and will be finished in Kinmel Bay Football Club's colours in two shades of blue. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox The existing leisure centre facilities include a main building, showers, toilets, kitchen, spa, squash courts, offices, an all-weather MUGA, a main football pitch, and a large grassed area used for tournaments, cricket, and sports days. Cllr Alan Hunter proposed councillors went with planning officers' advice. This was seconded by Cllr Austin Roberts, and the committee voted unanimously in favour of the planning application.
Wales Online
22-06-2025
- Automotive
- Wales Online
Parking fees at famous Welsh landmark triggers hunt for 'free' spaces
Parking fees at famous Welsh landmark triggers hunt for 'free' spaces Conwy County Council introduced charges to the Great Orme's summit car park and it's had an immediate effect elsewhere A view of Llandudno's Great Orme from above Dwygyfylchi (Image: David Powell ) Conwy's rising public car park fees are reportedly shifting demand to other facilities within the area. This month, parking charges were introduced at a previously free popular spot on Llandudno's Great Orme. Llandudno Snowsports Centre (LSC) states that rising parking fees at the council's summit car park left them with no choice but to impose their own charges due to the influx of visitors looking for cheaper options. Nigel Treacy, the centre's manager, has observed people turning to his site from pricier town centre parking, with local hotels directing guests there due to free parking. "Some people were being sent here by local hotels," he revealed. "They recommended us because the parking was free. We know this because we heard it from hotel guests." The Llandudno Snowsports Centre's car park which was previously free (Image: Google ) With effect from June, Parking Eye is overseeing the new LSC parking fee of £2 for up to six hours. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here Despite the change, some regulars were unprepared; a father who received a £100 fine while watching his son ski vented frustration online, which would drop to £60 if paid within 28 days, reports North Wales Live. Article continues below "I always thought it was free as have never paid before," he lamented. Amidst reductions in funding from the Welsh Government, Conwy Council has consistently raised parking rates over recent years. Charge rates do vary, yet they generally range from £1.50 for an hour up to £7.50 for a four-hour stay, with some seafront spots starting at £5.50. Previously free car parks have also seen the introduction of pay-and-display, with recent upgrades leading to charges at sites in Llanrwst and Llanfairfechan. The Council has cited stretched budgets as the reason for this change, stating it's striving to safeguard essential services within the county. The strategy involves enhancing revenue while scaling back on non-critical services. The council acknowledges that raising parking fees is one of the "difficult choices" it faces in its efforts to manage financial pressures. In Llandudno, where parking demand spikes during the tourist season, plans are afoot for a new "summer" car park, with rates beginning at £2.30 for an hour. Amid these developments, Mr Treacy has decided to implement charges at LSC to ensure parking availability for patrons. He remarked that some customers feel their rates are still too low, saying: "People tell us we're still too cheap!". He compared their pricing, saying: "£2 for up to six hours equates to 33p per hour. In contrast, the (Great Orme) summit car park is £5.50 for up to four hours, equivalent to £1.37 per hour – more than four times as much." LSC's facilities have seen significant investment, including a £300,000 refurbishment five years ago of its 200-metre dry ski slope – the longest in Wales – which now features a more bouncier surface and a 300-head sprinkler system. Additionally, LSC boasts the longest Cresta Toboggan run which is also the longest at 575 metres, as well as with Sno-tubing and "Alpine" crazy golf. Publicity for the new parking charges commenced a month prior to their implementation, leaving Mr Treacy somewhat puzzled as to how any customers could be oblivious to them. "We sat down with the operator and looked at the factors people were most concerned about with parking," he said. "Signage is a big issue – drivers often complain they're not aware of charging. "So we've covered the site in parking signs. They are four provided signs at the entrances, and 13 in the car parks and around the building. We've also paid for an extra 24 signs around the site. "Staff have been instructed to remind customers upon arrival – the last thing we want is for people to incur fines. "We also have multiple ways of paying – coins, contactless and online – and we have a 35-minute grace period without the need to pay: the industry standard is 10 minutes. This is for people who need to make quick bookings or for motorists who accidentally drive up here." The main car park, along with a smaller one located slightly downhill, now feature pay-and-display machines. They can be accessed via a single-lane road through Happy Valley gardens. Both facilities have been labelled as "basic", being gravelled surfaces first installed in 1986 and currently showing signs of wear. LSC has long harboured plans to refurbish them. "Eight years ago we looked at surfacing them with Tarmac but it was felt they would deteriorate too quickly without expensive new drainage," explained Mr Treacy. Initial designs have been proposed for new car parks estimated to cost about £250,000. Yet, justifying such expenditure is challenging given the current frosty economic conditions, particularly within leisure and tourism industries. Article continues below The introduction of new parking fees is anticipated to mitigate financial risks. "We going to need a lot of cars paying £2 a time to get near the target," Mr Treacy remarked.
North Wales Live
16-06-2025
- Business
- North Wales Live
Lorry depot that can't house trucks a 'stain' on North Wales council's reputation
A Mochdre HGV depot that has cost taxpayers £240K a year for nine years has been branded a stain on the local authority. Conwy took on the contract for the purpose-built Mochdre 'shed' in May 2016, meaning the authority has spent around £2.2 million on rent and counting – despite never being able to use the building for its intended use. The depot's floor is unsuitable to sufficiently accommodate HGVs, yet the council is locked into the 35-year lease until 2031 – when the agreement can be broken. An independent, external review found that there were process failings in the way the council took on the lease at Mochdre Commerce Park, which was presented to a special meeting in March 2019. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox. But despite the huge cost to taxpayers, a Conwy County Council spokesperson said it was unable to comment on the matter: 'The council is not able to comment on a matter that is the subject of ongoing litigation.' Counicllor Phil Ashe, the Colwyn Bay Town councillor for Dinerth, a ward bordering the site, urged the council to be transparent with taxpayers. 'The Mochdre shed is a stain on the county of Conwy,' he said. 'The local authority has made many mistakes over the years that have cost the county millions, and that is why it is in the mess it is in. Mochdre is a prime example. They've wasted thousands of pounds a month, millions of pounds for something we've never been able to use, and the lack of transparency from the local authority is awful. 'The taxpayers are funding this, and they haven't got the nerve to come out and explain what is going on. They keep hiding behind the legal case when in reality people have made mistakes and need to be held to account.' Should Conwy continue to honour the rent payments until 2031, the total expenditure on the depot would reach around £3.6m. Conwy has increased council tax by around 30% in three years while slashing services. Initially leased from Conygar Investment Company PLC, R.R Sea Strand Limited now serves as the landlords. The facility was used for storing pandemic-related equipment and even prepared as an emergency temporary morgue during the height of the COVID crisis but has been largely left unused. An independent report with Newcastle-based DWF LLP was commissioned by Conwy in 2021. The report was initially not made public but was eventually released following an FOI request, documenting a "lack of leadership, ignored or misunderstood policies, and a lack of accountability". Reflecting on the debacle, Conwy's then-chief executive, Iwan Davies, described the decision to lease the unusable building as "highly regrettable," while Cllr Anne McCaffrey labelled it "a shaming catalogue of errors."
