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'Tourist' bus passes clamp down Clampdown on 'tourist' bus passes
(30 minutes later)
A local authority plans to clamp down on free bus passes after finding that 365 holiday makers had claimed them. A local authority plans to clamp down on free bus passes after finding that 365 holidaymakers had claimed them.
Conwy Council found that hundreds of tourists who own static caravans in the area had bus passes despite not paying council tax in the county. Conwy Council found that hundreds of tourists who own static caravans in the area had bus passes, despite not paying council tax in the county.
A change in the rules on the bus pass scheme has been recommended to tackle the problem.A change in the rules on the bus pass scheme has been recommended to tackle the problem.
In future, people claiming the bus passes will have to provide proof of residency before it is issued.In future, people claiming the bus passes will have to provide proof of residency before it is issued.
Research by the council showed some of those claiming the bus passes holidayed in the area but lived as far away as Manchester.Research by the council showed some of those claiming the bus passes holidayed in the area but lived as far away as Manchester.
Rules state that holiday caravans cannot be used as full-time residences.Rules state that holiday caravans cannot be used as full-time residences.
This is about the fundamental principal that those who use local services should pay for local services Darren Millar, AM This is about the fundamental principle that those who use local services should pay for local services Darren Millar AM, Conservative
Those people did not appear in the population figure either which affected the amount of money the county received annually from the Welsh Assembly Government.Those people did not appear in the population figure either which affected the amount of money the county received annually from the Welsh Assembly Government.
Conwy councillor Bob Squire, who co-ordinated most of the research, said it was not fair on the residents and taxpayers of the county.Conwy councillor Bob Squire, who co-ordinated most of the research, said it was not fair on the residents and taxpayers of the county.
"Whilst I'd want to encourage public transport I've obviously still got to look at the impact on this community, and on the future finances of Conwy county borough," he said."Whilst I'd want to encourage public transport I've obviously still got to look at the impact on this community, and on the future finances of Conwy county borough," he said.
"To find that on a very cursory survey that there are 365 people on holiday getting a bus pass in our county, then that is something that cannot be tolerated," he added."To find that on a very cursory survey that there are 365 people on holiday getting a bus pass in our county, then that is something that cannot be tolerated," he added.
The change will not apply to people who have second homes or holiday homes because they do pay full council tax which contributes to the community services such as medical and educational establishments.The change will not apply to people who have second homes or holiday homes because they do pay full council tax which contributes to the community services such as medical and educational establishments.
'Footing the bill'
The council cabinet will consider the scrutiny committee recommendation later on in the year.The council cabinet will consider the scrutiny committee recommendation later on in the year.
Holiday caravans Meanwhile, the council said it was looking deeper into the issue to check exactly how many people were breaking the rules and using holiday caravans as their main residence.
Meanwhile, the council said they were looking deeper into the issue to check exactly how many people were breaking the rules and using holiday caravans as their main residence. These people may be using local services such as doctors, hospitals, and the police which means that it is not just about bus passes, according to Clwyd West Conservative AM Darren Millar, who lives in Kinmel Bay.
These people may be using local services such as doctors, hospitals, and the police which means that it is not just about bus passes, according to Conservative AM for Clwyd West Darren Millar, who lives in Kinmel Bay. "This is about the fundamental principle that those who use local services should pay for local services and that's not something that we're seeing at the moment.
"This is about the fundamental principal that those who use local services should pay for local services and that's not something that we're seeing at the moment. "That's clearly not right because it means that the Welsh taxpayer is footing the bill effectively, and losing out on money that could be spent elsewhere," he added.
"That's clearly not right because it means that the Welsh tax payer is footing the bill effectively, and losing out on money that could be spent elsewhere," he added.