If Labour plans for the reorganisation of councils goes ahead Pembrokeshire council tax payers could be hit by a huge hike in their rates, according to Assembly Member Simon Thomas.

Plaid Cymru AM Simon Thomas said: “The average household in Pembrokeshire could see their bills go up 30 per cent if Labour’s plan for another Dyfed council go ahead.”

The average Band D property in Ceredigion pays £1,300 and £1,348 in Carmarthenshire compared with £1,029 in Pembrokeshire.

Mid and West AM Simon Thomas added: “Plaid Cymru wants to see a fairer way of collecting taxes rather than just on property alone.

“It is up to the people of Wales to decide the future of local democracy. Plaid Cymru has set out our plans to retain the existing structure of 22 Local Authorities making them work together as combined regional authorities. This will save money, keep local accountability for decision-making, and deliver services strategically as coherent combined regional authorities. Plaid Cymru wants to see between five and seven of these combined authorities in Wales.

“This Labour government has made a mess of local government. The current hotch-potch of different educational consortia, health boards and other bodies all operate on different boundaries. Labour has proven that it is not capable of planning strategically for a number of different services.

“The Labour government’s plans cannot be implemented by this Welsh Government and will need to be voted on in the next election. Plaid Cymru will put our plans to the people of Wales, offering them a real alternative.”