LOCAL ELECTIONS: Blaenau Gwent party statements

Welsh Conservative candidates in Blaenau Gwent have pledged to listen to the voters and then take action for them in local government.

One of the chief concerns candidates are keen to tackle is recycling. Three weekly collections and the introduction of deeply unpopular Troliblocs have been the focus of local campaigns – and the feedback on the doorsteps is that change is needed.

The Welsh Conservatives will fight for this change and more.

More needs to be done to attract investment to the area – to encourage businesses to set up here and to create more jobs for local people.

More needs to be done to improve the state of the roads – some of which are littered with potholes – and to regenerate shopping areas to make them attractive, thriving areas.

More needs to be done to put Blaenau Gwent on the map. In particular candidates want clarity over the future of plans to build the new Circuit of Wales racetrack on moorland above Ebbw Vale.

A vote for the Welsh Conservatives on May 4th is a vote for a strong local candidate who cares about the area and will put local people first.

Labour:

Since 2012, never-ending Tory cuts have decimated public services nationally, Blaenau Gwent has felt these pressures more than most because of the deprivation and poverty issues that are a result of industrial decline and further exacerbated by reorganisation in 1996 which left Blaenau Gwent disadvantaged financially.

Labour has made huge advances from the position left by the previous Independent Council. We are proud that we have brought the education service out of ‘special measures’ and that our improved performance has been acknowledged by external auditors; they have said that “the Council has made ‘significant progress.’ If elected, Labour will use the close relationships already in place with neighbouring councils to develop joint solutions that benefit the public. We will protect front line services by using income from recycling which is already helping to finance our new pest control and other vital services. We will continue to support social care as a priority, and we will maximise the benefits from the £1.2 Billion City Deal.

The independents promise much but say nothing about funding pressures. It’s clear that they don’t understand the current situation.

Labour will manage the council efficiently in an open and honest manner, which is fair to everyone.

Plaid Cymru:

Following the success of the 2016 Copner Campaign, Plaid Cymru - the Party of Wales - is fielding three excellent candidates in this year’s election: Mark Holborn – Brynmawr, Gareth Davies – Cwm, and Steve Bard – Six Bells.

Each is well-rooted in his own community and is concerned about the local issues that affect the quality of life of their constituents – transport, road conditions, the future of sports, leisure and cultural facilities and access to them, environmental issues – access and litter/fly-tipping, and anti-social behaviour and responses to it, but as potential County councillors, they are also mindful of the wider issues affecting the whole Borough, such as low attainment levels in education and high levels of unemployment and taxation.

Local Authorities have had to face cuts, but there are more to come. Plaid does not expect to take over the Council, and will not make extravagant or undeliverable claims, but as a co-ordinated and disciplined group, our councillors will bring a common-sense approach to difficult decisions and will be consistent in protecting the vulnerable, and in holding the Council itself to account, ensuring that future decisions are better and more sensible than past ones.

For the sake of your community, vote Plaid.