Clwyd West MS Darren Millar is urging Conwy County Council to scrap a planned 70% increase in telecare charges due to be introduced next month.  

The extortionate hike would see residents in Conwy paying the highest telecare charges in the Wales .

The local authority has informed Conwy subscribers that it plans toincrease the annual cost of its telecare service from £182 to £310.25 from September 1st. The charges in other parts of North Wales are; Anglesey £223.60; Denbighshire £204; Flintshire £137.28; Gwynedd £269.88; and Wrexham £293.80.

Darren said the price rise will put a financial strain on many in the county who currently depend on the service and has written to Conwy County Borough Council calling for them to scrap its plans and look again at the proposed hike.

He said:

“I am very concerned to see a rise of 70% being imposed on vulnerable residents in the County Borough, especially given the significant rises in Council Tax in recent years and current cost of living pressures. 

“Having undertaken research of charges across Wales, it appears that from the 1st September, residents in Conwy will have the highest telecare charges in the country. 

“The fact that residents have received little warning over these changes and that there has been no consultation is wholly unacceptable. 

“While I appreciate the financial challenges faced by all public sector organisations, I must object in the strongest possible terms to the proposed increase and urge the local authority to look again at a more affordable rise which is in line with inflation.”