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New map detailing plans for fewer councils is revealed New map detailing plans for fewer councils is revealed
(about 1 hour later)
Plans to reduce the number of councils in Wales from 22 to eight or nine have been published by ministers.Plans to reduce the number of councils in Wales from 22 to eight or nine have been published by ministers.
The proposals would see a return to bigger councils, broadly along the lines of the pre-1996 arrangements.The proposals would see a return to bigger councils, broadly along the lines of the pre-1996 arrangements.
Public Services Minister Leighton Andrews said there was a "compelling case" for fewer local authorities Public Services Minister Leighton Andrews said there was a "compelling case" for fewer local authorities.
But the Liberal Democrats called the plans a "botched party-political stitch-up" by Labour designed to "hoard power in Cardiff Bay". However, the body representing local authorities said there was "no political consensus" on the future shape of councils in Wales.
Mr Andrews blueprint envisages the return of historic counties such as Dyfed and West Glamorgan. Mr Andrews's blueprint envisages the return of historic counties such as Dyfed and West Glamorgan.
Dyfed would be brought back by re-merging Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion and West Glamorgan would return by joining Swansea once more with Neath Port Talbot.Dyfed would be brought back by re-merging Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion and West Glamorgan would return by joining Swansea once more with Neath Port Talbot.
Cardiff would merge with the Vale of Glamorgan, while a merger between Caerphilly, Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent, Newport and Monmouthshire would create Wales' biggest council, with a population of nearly 600,000.Cardiff would merge with the Vale of Glamorgan, while a merger between Caerphilly, Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent, Newport and Monmouthshire would create Wales' biggest council, with a population of nearly 600,000.
Bridgend would join Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil.Bridgend would join Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil.
The minister will consult further on whether to move to two or three councils in north Wales.The minister will consult further on whether to move to two or three councils in north Wales.
In the eight-council model, Ynys Mon, Gwynedd and Conwy would merge, as would Denbighshire, Wrexham and Flintshire. In the eight-council model, Anglesey, Gwynedd and Conwy would merge, as would Denbighshire, Wrexham and Flintshire.
The alternative would see Conwy and Denbighshire merging.The alternative would see Conwy and Denbighshire merging.
Mr Andrews has dropped plans to place "term-limits" on councillors, whereby an individual would only be able to serve for 25 years.Mr Andrews has dropped plans to place "term-limits" on councillors, whereby an individual would only be able to serve for 25 years.
He is also proposing the current cap of 75 members per council is removed. He is also proposing the current cap of 75 members per council be raised to a higher level.
A consultation will now take place on what the cap should be.
In a written statement, Mr Andrews added: "I want to emphasise this is not a final decision. It is the next phase in discussions."In a written statement, Mr Andrews added: "I want to emphasise this is not a final decision. It is the next phase in discussions."
A draft bill will be published in the autumn but no changes will be made before next spring's assembly election.A draft bill will be published in the autumn but no changes will be made before next spring's assembly election.
Mr Andrews will make a statement to AMs in the Senedd later. 'Urgent summit'
The proposals came under fire from assembly opposition parties. Mr Andrews is confident his plans are on the right side of the political argument, despite criticism from senior Labour council figures.
Liberal Democrat local government spokesman Peter Black said: "Shoving together existing councils in a botched party-political stitch-up serves no-one aside from the Labour party and their quest to cement their position in Wales and hoard power in Cardiff Bay." He told BBC Wales: "Welsh Labour will be happy to go into the election next year campaigning to reduce the cost of politics and administration in local government."
Mr Black suggested the "independent Boundary Commission" should be asked to produce a "fresh map which actually works, instead of using the same old tired building blocks". But the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) dismissed the plans, saying there was "no political consensus" on the future shape of councils, either across political parties in the assembly or between Welsh ministers and local authorities.
The WLGA called for an "urgent summit" of council leaders and the Welsh government.
Association leader Bob Wellington said: "This summit could debate the way forward in terms of structures, but more importantly set in place a new vision for local government which is currently at the epicentre of public sector funding cuts and is having to carry a disproportionate share of the huge austerity burden."
'Tired building blocks'
Mr Andrew's proposals came under immediate fire from assembly opposition parties.
Conservative shadow local government minister Janet Finch-Saunders condemned what she called an "uninspiring map" chosen to "best serve the tribal party political interests of the Labour Party instead of ensuring proper local representation for families across Wales or delivering efficient local services".
Liberal Democrat AM Peter Black said: "Shoving together existing councils in a botched party-political stitch-up serves no-one aside from the Labour party and their quest to cement their position in Wales and hoard power in Cardiff Bay."
PROPOSED EIGHT NEW COUNCILSPROPOSED EIGHT NEW COUNCILS
* There could be further consultation on merging Conwy and Denbighshire to create an additional council in north Wales.* There could be further consultation on merging Conwy and Denbighshire to create an additional council in north Wales.
COUNCIL LEADERS' REACTIONCOUNCIL LEADERS' REACTION
Gwynedd: Dyfed Edwards, a Plaid Cymru councillor, told BBC Radio Wales: "I do think in the north, dividing along north east and north west is right. I think two authorities is enough for the north."Gwynedd: Dyfed Edwards, a Plaid Cymru councillor, told BBC Radio Wales: "I do think in the north, dividing along north east and north west is right. I think two authorities is enough for the north."
Monmouthshire: Conservative Peter Fox said the proposed council re-organisation was "driving down staff moral and creating huge uncertainty" for the council staff. Monmouthshire: Conservative Peter Fox accepted the need for some reform but expressed disappointment.
While accepting a need for some sort of reform, he said: "I'm disappointed. We're back to the future it looks like. I believe in local identity and local decision making, I believe that's really important to people." He said: "We're back to the future it looks like. I believe in local identity and local decision making, I believe that's really important to people."
Rhondda Cynon Taf: Labour council leader Andrew Morgan said: "All council leaders will now need to consider the detail of the Welsh government's proposed map; I personally will want to remain focused on protecting the interests of services we provide to the communities we represent currently and the staff we employ to deliver them."
Swansea: Labour council leader Rob Stewart said he did not think the planned merger with Neath Port Talbot held "any fear" for the two authorities.Swansea: Labour council leader Rob Stewart said he did not think the planned merger with Neath Port Talbot held "any fear" for the two authorities.
He said: "We already work as a city region. Swansea is undoubtedly the capital of that region but it doesn't mean people in other parts of the region should worry."He said: "We already work as a city region. Swansea is undoubtedly the capital of that region but it doesn't mean people in other parts of the region should worry."
Mr Stewart appeared to suggest he would like the future authority to be known as Swansea Bay.
ANALYSIS BY VAUGHAN RODERICKANALYSIS BY VAUGHAN RODERICK
The third shake up in Welsh local government in 40 years would see the return of some familiar borders and names, the new all-purpose authorities roughly matching the eight counties which formed the upper tier of Welsh councils until 1996.The third shake up in Welsh local government in 40 years would see the return of some familiar borders and names, the new all-purpose authorities roughly matching the eight counties which formed the upper tier of Welsh councils until 1996.
While some will welcome the return of historic names like Gwent and Dyfed - others would mourn the passing of the equally historic names like Pembrokeshire and Monmouthshire.While some will welcome the return of historic names like Gwent and Dyfed - others would mourn the passing of the equally historic names like Pembrokeshire and Monmouthshire.
While sentiment may fire opposition to the changes in some areas, other will claim that the new authorities could prove remote and that any change would be a distraction at a time when local government is under severe financial pressure.While sentiment may fire opposition to the changes in some areas, other will claim that the new authorities could prove remote and that any change would be a distraction at a time when local government is under severe financial pressure.
Meanwhile the issue is likely to figure heavily in next year's assembly election, with all three opposition parties opposing the government's map.Meanwhile the issue is likely to figure heavily in next year's assembly election, with all three opposition parties opposing the government's map.
THE CHANGING FACE OF WALESTHE CHANGING FACE OF WALES