CONWY residents are furious over the announced rise in council tax.
Councillors agreed on a rise of 4.7 per cent following what Cllr Meirion Hughes, the Cabinet Member for Finance Resources, called a "disappointing" 1.1 per cent grant settlement for Conwy from the Welsh Assembly Government.
The Pioneer invited readers to comment on the news.
Captain Noel Anthony Rafferty wrote on our website: "I find it unbelievable that Cllr Hughes finds it 'disappointing' the 1.1 per cent grant settlement. It must be time for the Conwy Council to join the real world; the 1.1 per cent settlement is perfectly adequate and much more than the rest of us are going to get. I suggest they start trimming their sail accordingly. The council seems most adapt at spending the money of others."
Ray Benson raised the issue of pensioners struggling to make ends meet.
He wrote: "I find it unbelievable that pensioners get a rise [of] approx 50p per week less tax and the council rise is approx 73p per week. Where do we make the shortfall up."
And Michael Baines, of Bryn Avenue in Colwyn Bay, was outraged at the price hike while "un-needed" roadworks were being undertaken.
He said: "They are increasing the council tax while they are doing unnecessary roadworks and paving. On my road there are huge potholes, and on the road near to me by the hospital it is the same - ambulances have to go up and down there!"
According to Cllr Hughes the council tax in Conwy still remains one of the lowest in the country.
But Craig Y Don Councillor, Janet Finch Saunders, believed a poor settlement should not mean passing on the cost to residents.
She said: "It's an above inflation increase. We may be one of the lowest [council tax rates], but we are still having rises year on year while people's salaries are not.
"We need to look over the budget where we can deliver value for money. It's not about cuts, we need to look at smarter, more efficient way of doing things."
Old Colwyn representative, Cllr Cheryl Carlisle, who voted against the council tax rise, said: "I'm concerned about front line services like streets being clean, bins being emptied and social care - and all the staff who do these do a fantastic job. But there is waste which could go to help them.
"There are all these new posts being created. We have a Walking Officer. I understand how important health and fitness is - it is essential - but is it what the people want money being spent on?"
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