Conwy County losing out on cash from Assembly

Dec 4 2008 by Richard Evans, North Wales Weekly News

ADDITIONAL pressure is being put on services in North Wales by a “hidden population”, claims MP David Jones.

The Clwyd West politician raised the issue in the House of Commons, arguing a transient population not accounted for in the Assembly funding was putting added pressure on council finances.

The debate follows a pilot study in Colwyn Bay earlier this year which revealed that 215 out of 250 people, who were mostly living in houses of multiple occupation, were not on the electoral roll.

Consequently members of Conwy County Council complained there was a £4 million shortfall in the budget from the Assembly reflecting this, as the amount in the annual settlement was not accounting for those living in holiday caravans.

Mr Jones asked: “Does the minister acknowledge that the presence of large numbers of transient residents can put a significant burden on the public purse, and will he raise the issue with colleagues at Westminster and in the Assembly?”

Wayne David MP, parliamentary under-secretary of state, answered: “This is an important issue which should be looked at in a cool and moderate way.

“We should be careful to use terms that are not emotive and that do not paint an inappropriate picture. It is important for us to have objective studies, while of course recognising that visitors are welcome to our seaside towns. Let us be clear: there are real signs in Wales of the tourist industry picking up after the admittedly difficult past few months.”

Disappointed with Mr David’s response, Mr Jones said after the meeting: “The hidden population of transients in seaside areas like Colwyn Bay, Towyn and Kinmel Bay puts significant additional stress on the medical, social and educational infrastructures, yet because they are not recorded, the local authority receives no support for them from central government or the Assembly.

“This is a significant issue that has to be addressed and I am pursuing it with colleagues in the Conservative seaside town strategy group.”