RCT Ratepayers Action Group - Statement of Intent.

Firstly we are independent. Independent of any political party and any political pressure. We will put people first and not party political dogma. Able to work and speak openly and directly on behalf of the people who elect us we will be truly representative of your views to the Council.

We will hold regular meetings all across RCT, in Pontypridd and the Rhondda and Cynon valleys to gather your views and to listen to you the people and take your voice forward and into the Council Chamber regardless of where you live in RCT.

We will produce regular newsletters for your information. Not a propaganda sheet but one where the truth will be exposed, warts and all. On that newsletter will be a space for you to give your views on anything and everything happening in RCT and especially where you live.

We will immediately lobby and pressurise the ruling political party for;

1. A fairer deal for lower paid staff who have been treated so abysmally recently. If pay cuts come they should come for everyone not just those earning less than £42,000 per annum.

2. A cull of an over-inflated over-paid RCT management in a structure where the top 200 salaries on the RCT rich list costs us in excess of £13 million per annum with pension contributions on top of that.

3. Bring pressure to bear on Cwm Taff Health Authority to increase the availability and access of local communities to the best health care in Wales and to reopen permanently the Minor Injuries Units in the Cynon and Rhondda valleys.

4. Put immediate pressure on South Wales Constabulary to bring back street patrolling by police officers. For them to again become visible to the public and would be criminals. This together with the reopening of the Rhondda and Cynon valleys Police Stations now earmarked for certain closure.

5. That RCT Council should immediately adopt the recommendations of the Independent Remunerations Panel and cut Councillors allowances by 10% and that the Leader of the Authority has his/her income reduced from £58,000 per annum to £52,000 and be allowed to do only one job. And to lobby for and accept further reductions in the future.

6. An immediate end to each and every 'special responsibility payment' for Councillors. These extra allowances are currently being paid on top of the basic allowance.

These are only a few of the commitments we make to you. There will be more as time passes and as new issues and problems come to light. But no matter what, we will inform and consult with you on whatever comes our way and together with you find the best way forward. We will be working for you whilst always keeping in mind that collectively with you, we are the people who pay the bills.

If you want change then change your vote.

Graeme Beard.
Chairman and on behalf of the RCT Ratepayers Action Group.