Commenting on the fact that the official Leader of the Opposition in RCT failed to bring forward any alternatives as part of this years budget setting process, County Borough Councillor Andrew Morgan, Cabinet Member for Frontline Services said: “We have not taken these decisions through choice but out of necessity. So dire is the financial outlook for the public sector, thanks to the UK government, some of the decisions we have proposed are certainly not ones we originally intended taking when we formed this administration after the local elections. But let us all be clear where the blame for these tough decisions lays – With the UK government.

Not a single Plaid Cymru Councillor attended a planning meeting to discuss the most significant planning application to considered by the Council this year. Labour Councillors have described this no show as a ‘failed to meet the responsibilities of being Councillor.’

The Council’s Cabinet will next week consider the consequences of cuts to public sector funding imposed on Wales by Cameron and Clegg. Officers of the Council are due to present proposals for the Cabinet to plan how the Council will reduce its spending to meet the £9.6M gap in funding it faces this year as a result of the CONDEM governments attack on the public sector here in Wales.

On behalf of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and all its Members and Officers can I wish every resident of the County a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

RCT Labour has continued its investment in first class facilities for residents with the official opening of a new 95-station gym at Llantrisant Leisure Centre as part of a £2.8m investment by the leadership of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council.

Cllr Mike Powell made great claims that he was going to question Labour Cabinet Members at the latest Council meeting about the plans for the Taff Vale Precinct in Pontypridd but I do hope no members from the public attended with much expectation.