A LARGE number of disgruntled Wrexham residents have expressed their thoughts on the recent news that they could soon be faced with having their bins collected less often, as well as being charged more to park, as the local authority faces a potential budget shortfall of more than £7m.

Three weekly bin collections and a price hike of between 20p to 50p for parking are two options being considered by Wrexham Council as it looks to plug next year's budget gap.

A council tax increase of at least 5.5 per cent and a reduction in the standard of road repairs are also being consulted on as senior figures warn they are struggling to find alternatives following funding reductions from central government.

One resident, Mark Jones, expressed his frustration towards Wrexham Council, who he believes are not providing the services in which him and many others are currently paying for.

He said: "How come the council tax is going up and the services we supposed to be paying for are getting less and less?

"An absolute shambles.

"Sack the lot of the councillors and Wrexham would save millions of wasted money."

Another resident, Jacks Butler, added: "Can someone please tell me what we pay council tax for if it's not for street lighting, which rarely works, rubbish collections and the use of local amenities?

"If they cut these services perhaps they should look at cutting our council tax."

Matthew Hankey, said: "How can reducing collections be saving money?

"We will have more waste, which will fill the lorries up quicker and will need emptying and returning to finish.

"Also they will still be employing the staff and lorries but sending them elsewhere.

"Where's the saving?"

Another resident, Colin Edwards, said: "And why should the customer pay for a service that they don't receive?

"Robbery in my view."

One resident, Andrew Setchfield, shared his thoughts on what other areas could be cut to help save the council money.

He said: "Let's start with cutting some of the salary's that the highest earners within the council receive.

"Why should they be rewarded for failure to deliver anything for the residents?"

One concerned resident, Mike Samuels, said: "Raising car parking fees is not going to attract people to shop into the town, despite the fact that the council insist they want to increase footfall.

"They should reduce the number of councillors and increase the workload of those that are left."

Alan Creane, added: "Three weekly bin collections?

"Then they better provide the residents with bigger bins then."

Another angry resident, Ryan Edwards, said: "Every three weeks is an absolute joke.

"This will result in rats and an increase in fly-tipping."

However, one resident, Alison Jane Griffiths, welcomes the new bin collection rota, and believes it may have a positive impact on the town.

She said: "I don't see the issue of collecting rubbish every three weeks.

"My black bin never gets full as I recycle.

"All this does is encourage more people to recycle properly.

"It's not rocket science."

Unlike Ms Griffiths, one resident, Leonnie Cullen, believes these plans could have dire consequences for Wrexham.

She said: "I'm sure that the council are trying to incite a riot..."