Party of Wales Gwynedd Councillors' Group

Today in the council chamber, Gwynedd County Councillor for Deiniolen Ward, Elfed Williams, is pleased that Cyngor Gwynedd has committed to press the Welsh Government for support to residents of his area who have suffered because of damage to their homes including dampness and an urgent need for repair work.

The Councillor's question came following an announcement by the Welsh Government earlier in April, that they would, at last, fund restoration work on houses in the area, after ten years of campaigning by Plaid Cymru, due to a flawed insulation scheme by the Government.

“This has been a public scandal,” said the Councillor who represents residents in Deiniolen, Dinorwig, Clwt y Bont and Fachwen who have suffered because of the Welsh Labour Government's flawed scheme ‘Adfer.’

"Support was promised over ten years ago to help people save money through the Welsh Government's fuel poverty scheme. It was meant to improve the energy efficiency of these houses ensuring that the owners would receive lower energy bills.

But inferior work in the Deiniolen, Dinorwig, Clwt y Bont and Fachwen area has left the owners with houses damp and mouldy, drainage pipes incorrectly replaced, unsightly outside render and cracks in walls.

The Government announced in April this year, after a ten-year campaign, that 42 Arfon houses had been approved to receive repair work.

Siân Gwenllian, Senedd Member for Arfon who has led the campaign with Councillor Elfed Williams said:

"This has been a long and frustrating campaign, but I have remained determined to get justice for my constituents in Arfon. It sounds like there is light at the end of the tunnel, but I will keep in close contact with the residents to ensure that the work takes place and is of the highest quality. They were disappointed after putting their faith in a plan that was supposed to improve their homes only for the property to be left in a worse condition than it was at the beginning."

While receiving support of Cyngor Gwynedd Councillors this week (1 May), Councillor Elfed Williams said: “I welcome the news that this work of renovating and repairing the houses for my local residents will take place. It is high time!

"But I continue to be concerned about the residents who have not received recognition that restoration work is to take place at their homes. I will continue to work with the Senedd Member for the area, Siân Gwenllian, to see where we can influence and push to ensure that essential remedial work is carried out.

Jayne Bryant, the Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, announced in a letter to Arfon's representative, Sian Gwenllian, that the Welsh Government will fund the restoration work for 42 homes in Arfon. According to the Government, letters have been sent to those owners setting out more detail about that work.