Powys Conservatives criticise transport and recycling services

The Welsh Conservative Group at Powys County Council says that residents in Powys are growing increasingly frustrated with the ongoing deficiencies in the region's school transport and recycling services.

These concerns have resurfaced since the County Council elections of May 2022, casting a shadow over the quality of services provided by Powys County Council.

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One area of considerable concern is the county's recycling service, which continues to operate well below the expected standards. The weekly recycling and waste food collection service has deteriorated to the point that it almost resembles a three-weekly service, especially in the more remote rural areas of Powys.

As the new school term commenced, parents in various parts of the county have raised additional concerns. Some areas have witnessed children being denied access to school transport, adding to the growing dissatisfaction with council services.

Cllr Aled Davies, the Leader of the Welsh Conservative Group, expressed his frustration with the situation. He remarked:

"At times, it barely feels like the Council is functioning. The Liberal Democrat/Labour-run council needs to take control of the situation. Recycling issues have persisted since last summer and show no signs of improvement."

"The current Council received a new fleet of collection vehicles when they assumed power in May 2022, but instead of maintaining and improving the service, they significantly reduced their investment in it during their first budget. While the dedicated service officers are doing their best, they are being burdened with impossible demands by the Lib Dem Cabinet."

He further highlighted the crucial importance of school transport in rural areas and cited the failures during the first week of the new school year.

"This week, I've heard numerous examples of the Council's inability to fulfill their statutory obligations. Some of my fellow Councillors in the group have received assurances from Cabinet members in recent months that these issues would be resolved, but it's evident that they haven't been. New problems continue to emerge daily, including instances where students are denied access to Welsh Medium schools."

"Residents are now suggesting the possibility of a Council Tax rebate, as they are fed up with the consistent record of broken promises and service delivery failures by the Liberal Democrats."

Cllr Gwynfor Thomas, County Councillor in Llansantffraid, lamented the plight of children and families in his area, stating:

"Despite repeated pleas from myself and fellow councillors, children and families find themselves in a desperate situation, unsure of where to catch a bus. It seems that common sense is no longer a guiding principle followed by the authority."

Liberal Democrat council leader Cllr James Gibson-Watt has responded to the criticism. Cllr Gibson-Watt said:

“The idea that this has only arisen since May 2022 is ludicrous."

“I recall similar problems occurring during the previous council period, when Cllr Davies was deputy leader of the council, and Brexit has had a part to play in the recruitment problems."

“The claim that residents are waiting three weeks for recycling collections is also ludicrous. “Officers report that the maximum wait any resident has had to suffer is two weeks and one day."

“These problems are long-standing ones in the North of the county, mainly caused by the difficulties Powys council and many other local authorities are experiencing recruiting staff to work in waste and recycling.”

Moving on to school transport issues, Cllr Gibson-Watt said:

“Powys provides transport for about 5,500 pupils every school day.

“There are always a few problems at the start of the school year, while new bus drivers, pupils and parents get used to the system.

“I recall pupils being left at the side of the road on a couple of occasions during the previous council when Cllr Davies was the cabinet member responsible for school transport.

“These problems are usually quickly resolved and will be this time.”

Cllr Gibson-Watt apologised to those affected by this issue and added that “we will endeavour” to sort them out as quickly as possible.