Labour Caerphilly Borough AMs Jeff Cuthbert (pictured), Gwyn Price and Huw Lewis have today condemned the Council for raising bereavement charges by a staggering 18.5% plus inflation every year, for the next five years.
On Tuesday (07 June) the Plaid-led Cabinet took the decision to increase the charges which include the costs of burial, interment, memorials and headstone permits. In 2008 the Cabinet decided to increase the fees by 10% plus inflation for a period of two years.
Jeff Cuthbert AM for the Caerphilly constituency said;
‘This increase hits vulnerable families and people at a time when they are grieving. This is yet another of the stealth taxes which I warned the Plaid Council would throw at us after their announcement that they would freeze council tax.’
Gwyn Price AM for Islwyn said;
“These unexpected increases are an example of how out of touch Caerphilly Council’s Plaid Cymru leadership are. Raising extra money from grieving relatives when economic times are so difficult is unacceptable. This is yet another example of a Plaid stealth tax and they need to realise that the people of this borough will not stand for it.”
Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney AM, Huw Lewis, added:
“The actions of the Plaid-led council will cause additional distress and worry to families at the most difficult of times. The council should re-think this policy as a matter of urgency.”
Cllr Harry Andrews, Leader of the Labour Group on Caerphilly Council said:
“Plaid Cymru are introducing a confused range of stealth taxes and increased charges at the same time as a council tax freeze. They could have made a clear choice on bereavement charges three years ago, as recommended by Labour, but instead they chose to avoid making a clear decision. This makes a mockery of their claim to want to protect residents against current financial difficulties.”
