I have witnessed the slow and disheartening decay of our beloved town at the hands of Ceredigion County Council (CCC). The council has initiated numerous ill-considered and costly projects that have eroded the footfall, made parking a nightmare, and consequently, businesses in town have suffered immensely. Opportunities for workers have dwindled, urgently needed tourism is deterred, and the concerns of residents are blatantly ignored. Meanwhile, services have declined, yet council tax continues to soar, compounded by the council members awarding themselves substantial pay raises consistently. This is utter mismanagement, and it’s we, the locals and businesses, who are bearing the brunt of it.

Therefore, it is time that CCC submit to a comprehensive, independent and forensic accountancy audit. Up until now, they have been conducting their own audits without a shred of transparency, neglecting to provide us with clear and concise accounts. As residents and workers in Ceredigion, we deserve to know where every penny is going, understand what has been spent, what is currently being spent, and critically, what has been mismanaged.

A reputable third-party audit will ensure accountability and restore faith in local governance. It will shed light on the decisions impacting our community and provide a detailed breakdown of financial allocations and discrepancies. It will empower us, the people of Ceredigion, by unveiling the truth behind opaque council operations.

It's crucial to push for public engagement and meaningful consultation in all council decisions going forward. Transparent management and stringent oversight measures must be put in place to prevent mismanagement and ensure that all projects benefit the community, rather than hinder it. It's about time public funds are allocated wisely, to genuinely enhance our community and improve livelihoods.

Let's come together to demand the transparency and accountability that we deserve. Only by taking tangible steps toward a thorough audit can we hope to protect and rejuvenate our town.

Every signature counts in making this critical change happen.

Sign this petition to hold Ceredigion County Council accountable and demand transparency in their financial affairs.