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Council merger clarity call as deadline approaches | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Local councils have called for clarity on how many authorities the Welsh government wants and how a proposed merger shake-up will be paid for. | |
The call came as a deadline of Friday midnight for the 22 authorities to suggest voluntary mergers approached. | |
Ministers want to cut the number of councils to between 10 and 12, urging councils to name preferred partners. | |
But the councils said a suggestion that the ultimate target could be as few as six has created ambiguity. | |
In January, the Williams Commission recommended the 22 county councils - last reorganised two decades ago - be cut to as few as 10. | In January, the Williams Commission recommended the 22 county councils - last reorganised two decades ago - be cut to as few as 10. |
But Public Services Minister Leighton Andrews has suggested there could be as few as six. | But Public Services Minister Leighton Andrews has suggested there could be as few as six. |
Supporters of mergers claim it will make local government more effective and efficient. | |
The Welsh Local Government Association said after a meeting on Friday that while six of the 22 authorities had agreed on a merger plan, others were prepared to merge after more consideration while some preferred to stand alone. | |
'Shared vision' | |
The WLGA confirmed the names of the six councils which had already agreed merger plans: | |
Of those, just one pairing - Conwy and Denbighshire - was what the Williams Commission recommended. The other councils said they would prefer to work with authorities other than those recommended by the commission. | |
Swansea council leader Rob Stewart said his authority may be willing to merge with Neath Port Talbot but was still considering its options and may wish to stand alone. | |
Anglesey, Caerphilly, Ceredigion, Monmouthshire, Newport and Wrexham have all said they would prefer not to merge. | |
'Fit for purpose' | |
The councils asked ministers to consider a range of issues before taking the next steps: | |
WLGA leader Bob Wellington, who also leads Torfaen council, said: "The whole debate on the future of local government in Wales needs to move forward on the principle of open, constructive and respectful engagement. | |
"In terms of the forthcoming White Paper, local government should be involved in devising a shared vision of the future for public services in Wales. | |
"We need a settled and lasting outcome that provides a structure fit for purpose now and into the future. | |
"The challenges ahead are profound. Local public services are in crisis and now more than ever strategic intent and partnership is required across all tiers of elected government in Wales." | |
Local government consultant Jeff Jones, the former leader of Bridgend council, said he does not think the mergers are the solution to the current problems facing councils. | Local government consultant Jeff Jones, the former leader of Bridgend council, said he does not think the mergers are the solution to the current problems facing councils. |
"If you're developing a local government system fit for the 21st Century you should have a blank piece of paper and ask what should it deliver and have structures that deliver that," he said. | "If you're developing a local government system fit for the 21st Century you should have a blank piece of paper and ask what should it deliver and have structures that deliver that," he said. |
"But [the councils] are all hamstrung by the fact they were told that any new system had to conform to existing health board and police force areas. | "But [the councils] are all hamstrung by the fact they were told that any new system had to conform to existing health board and police force areas. |
"Most authorities are saying voluntary mergers are not the way to go forward. | "Most authorities are saying voluntary mergers are not the way to go forward. |
"Wales has far too many councils. You look at Birmingham - that has a similar population to Wales and it has just one council. | "Wales has far too many councils. You look at Birmingham - that has a similar population to Wales and it has just one council. |
"I'm in agreement with Leighton Andrews when he suggested there should be six councils. I say five but I'd be happy with six." | "I'm in agreement with Leighton Andrews when he suggested there should be six councils. I say five but I'd be happy with six." |
He said all of the councils which were happy to merge were "weak authorities" which should not be paired together. | |
"If anyone actually approves these mergers, they're just showing they're not interested in good governance," he added. | "If anyone actually approves these mergers, they're just showing they're not interested in good governance," he added. |
The commission estimated the shake-up could save £60m to £80m per year after an upfront £100m cost, while an accountants' report for the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) said it could cost up to £268m but eventually save £65m a year. | |
Mr Andrews has said all merger suggestions would be considered. | |
However, the suggested Bridgend/Vale of Glamorgan partnership contravenes the recommendation that mergers do not cross the boundaries of health boards. | |
The Welsh government said it planned to respond to any expressions of interest on mergers by 5 January. |