Two Senedd Members have urged a council cabinet to think twice before making some controversial cuts.

Peredur Owen Griffiths MS and Delyth Jewell MS have written to each member of Caerffili County Borough Council’s Cabinet ahead of a crucial meeting on the future of Llancaiach Fawr and the Meals Direct Service.

The council want to mothball the historical Tudor mansion and close the meals service that provide hot meals to the elderly and vulnerable.

The mothballing of Blackwood Miners’ Institute was also on the cards until a possible conflict of interest emerged and put that proposal on hold for now.

After acknowledging that the fate of Blackwood Miners Institute would not be decided at this point, Peredur and Delyth wrote in their letter to Cabinet Members: ‘We appreciate that these are tough times for local authorities throughout Wales.

‘The funding settlement has been poor year-after-year under Westminster austerity politics and there is little sign of things improving soon unfortunately due to grim financial forecasts made by the current Prime Minister and Chancellor.

‘We also know that local authorities have to cut their cloth accordingly and protect the statutory services they are charged with providing. However, we also know that you did not enter politics to make cuts that could have detrimental consequences for the people you serve for generations to come.

‘We respectfully request that you explore all avenues and options to keep Blackwood Miners Institute, Llancaiach Fawr and Meals Direct open and running. Once these buildings or services shut, there are very real fears that they will never reopen and be lost forever.

‘We would be prepared to work with you on a cross-party basis to ensure that these institutions and the vital services they offer can keep serving the public for generations to come.’

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