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Mergers deadline for Welsh councils looms Council merger clarity call as deadline approaches
(about 4 hours later)
Wales' 22 councils have until midnight to let the Welsh government know whether they are in favour of merging with other local authorities 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.
Welsh ministers want to cut the number of councils from 22 to between 10 and 12, urging councils to suggest partnerships before Friday's deadline. The call came as a deadline of Friday midnight for the 22 authorities to suggest voluntary mergers approached.
So far, four pairs of councils say they are in favour of working together, according to BBC Wales' research. Ministers want to cut the number of councils to between 10 and 12, urging councils to name preferred partners.
Supporters of the mergers say it would make councils more efficient. But the councils said a suggestion that the ultimate target could be as few as six has created ambiguity.
However, one local government expert says there has been a "missed opportunity" and the reorganisation is "destined to fail".
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.
Each council has discussed and voted on the mergers and BBC Wales understands those in favour include: Supporters of mergers claim it will make local government more effective and efficient.
Of those, just one pairing - Conwy and Denbighshire - was what the Williams Commission recommended. The other councils say they would prefer to work with other authorities to the ones recommended by the commission. 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.
Conwy council leader Dilwyn Roberts said of the possibility of merging with Denbighshire: "There are similarities between the local authority areas - cost savings could be made." 'Shared vision'
However, the majority of councils are not in agreement over the mergers or who they should work in partnership with. The WLGA confirmed the names of the six councils which had already agreed merger plans:
Andrew Morgan, leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf council, said his authority was not yet convinced of the case for a recommended merger with Merthyr Tydfil and was seeking talks with five neighbouring councils. 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.
"Just putting blocks on a map together doesn't work - we need to look at the services, the cost base, and the management," he said. 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.
Swansea council leader Rob Stewart said his authority would not be putting forward an expression of interest before the deadline but would be happy to consider a link-up with Neath Port Talbot, or to stand alone as the Williams Commission recommended. Anglesey, Caerphilly, Ceredigion, Monmouthshire, Newport and Wrexham have all said they would prefer not to merge.
The report by former NHS Wales chief executive Paul Williams recommends the new councils should be within current health board and police force areas and also not cross the geographical areas governing eligibility for EU aid. '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 - bar Swansea and Neath Port Talbot - were "weak authorities" which should not be paired together. 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 the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) put the cost at £200m. 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 Leighton Andrews has said all merger suggestions would be considered. Mr Andrews has said all merger suggestions would be considered.
The Welsh government says it proposes to respond to any expressions of interest on mergers by 5 January. 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.