CONWY council say reducing CCTV budgets was ‘considered’ as part of the budget-setting process but they will not take this proposal forward.
The council is currently in the process of setting a budget for 2025/26 with more service cuts and another 10% council tax rise considered likely.
Conwy is set to be given a 3.7% rise in its annual local government settlement from the Welsh Government, but cabinet members say it is nowhere near enough.
The council will meet at the end of the month to agree a final budget.
But following a public meeting on anti-social behaviour in Llandudno last week, Aberconwy MS Janet Finch-Saunders says it is important for residents’ safety that CCTV budgets aren’t part of the cuts.
The Aberconwy MS was speaking after gangs of youths went on the rampage, causing £16,000 of damage to new promenade shelters, stealing from hotels, and vandalising Venue Cymru.
She said: “I used to be a (Conwy) cabinet member between 2004 – 2008 for public protection and community safety. In those days we acknowledged the true deterrent for crime and anti-social behaviour, and we wanted to fund more CCTV.
“They’ve scaled back largely from then, and now we are all facing the repercussions.”
A spokeswoman for Conwy County Council said: “The option to reduce the CCTV budget was considered in the earlier part of the budget cycle.
“However, when discussed informally with members at a budget working group, it wasn’t generally supported, and the proposal does not form part of the proposed budget, which will be considered by councillors at finance and resources scrutiny committee and cabinet next week.
“Council will meet on 27 February to finalise and agree the budget and council tax for 2025/26.”
