A tougher approach to fly tipping, improving education standards and bringing leisure services back in house are some of the things Labour says it would do if voted to run Merthyr Tydfil Council after May’s elections. Labour, who have been in opposition on Merthyr Tydfil Council since 2017, have laid out what they will do if people vote for them in the local elections on May 5.
Their manifesto has explained what a Labour -run council would do on education, playgrounds and parks, leisure services and bus services among other things. The manifesto says that these have been tough times with the floods and the coronavirus pandemic and now the cost of living crisis with rising food and energy costs and a rise in National Insurance contributions. It says that they will continue to work closely with Welsh Government to invest in and improve things that matter to people. You can keep up to date with more Merthyr stories by subscribing to our dedicated newsletter here.
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Education
On education standards, Labour says it will improve the education of children in Merthyr Tydfil so that attainment at all levels and across all ages is raised.
Playgrounds and parks
Labour is promising to redevelop playgrounds across Merthyr Tydfil and make sure that the apparatus is updated and appropriate for disabled people.
Leisure services
With the swimming pools at Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Centre having been closed for more than two years, Labour says that with all the recent problems they believe leisure services should be run by the council again.
In the first six months of a new council, Labour says it would consult on the changes needed and the implications of making this happen.
Helping sports clubs and improving well-being
Labour says it would provide free pitch fees throughout Merthyr Tydfil for all sports clubs and “much needed” protection for valuable green spaces.
Safe and clean streets
Labour says it would take a tougher approach to fly tipping, especially on private land.
They would also reintroduce a dog warden to deal with dog fouling issues, look to scrap the charge for pest control services and work with partners to make communities safer and cleaner.
Bus services
By linking into the South Wales Metro, Labour says it would make best use of the new bus station by supporting bus routes and passenger facilities.
Funding their commitments
The manifesto says the council’s funding has risen substantially over the past five years.
Labour says it would take a new approach to how the council delivers services with innovative revenue streams and meaningful consultations.
Labour says they feel what they are offering is deliverable and would improve education and front-line services.
They say the recent financial settlements from Welsh Government mean the council can start to make “fresh choices with a different approach” improving services over the years ahead.
The manifesto said that due to austerity, between 2012 and 2017 the Labour-run council saw year on year cuts to its funding from Welsh Government but since 2017 the independent administration has received a year on year increase.
