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Councils fight back over plans for fewer authorities | Councils fight back over plans for fewer authorities |
(about 7 hours later) | |
The leader of the organisation representing councils in Wales has launched a scathing attack on plans to slash the number of local authorities. | The leader of the organisation representing councils in Wales has launched a scathing attack on plans to slash the number of local authorities. |
Bob Wellington's comments come after Public Services Minister Leighton Andrews said he wanted to cut councils from 22 to eight or nine in Wales. | Bob Wellington's comments come after Public Services Minister Leighton Andrews said he wanted to cut councils from 22 to eight or nine in Wales. |
Mr Wellington warned there was "nothing more dangerous in a combat zone than a general with a map". | Mr Wellington warned there was "nothing more dangerous in a combat zone than a general with a map". |
He was speaking at a conference of the Welsh Local Government Association. | He was speaking at a conference of the Welsh Local Government Association. |
Mr Wellington said a proposed map of local government had been drawn up by "Cathays Park civil servants" without proper consultation with local government. | Mr Wellington said a proposed map of local government had been drawn up by "Cathays Park civil servants" without proper consultation with local government. |
He told the WLGA conference in Swansea that against a backdrop of council budget cuts, ministers could end up merging "empty shells". | He told the WLGA conference in Swansea that against a backdrop of council budget cuts, ministers could end up merging "empty shells". |
"We have to say, in the current climate local government reorganisation seems to perfectly fit with the old military maxim that the most dangerous thing in a combat zone is a general with a map," he said. | "We have to say, in the current climate local government reorganisation seems to perfectly fit with the old military maxim that the most dangerous thing in a combat zone is a general with a map," he said. |
"The debate on devolution exclusively appears to dwell on empowering Cardiff Bay while local services are sinking in a sea of austerity. | "The debate on devolution exclusively appears to dwell on empowering Cardiff Bay while local services are sinking in a sea of austerity. |
"We cannot carry on with this level of doubt and ambiguity, it's draining and demoralising for our employees." | "We cannot carry on with this level of doubt and ambiguity, it's draining and demoralising for our employees." |
Mr Andrews took to the stage after Mr Wellington. | Mr Andrews took to the stage after Mr Wellington. |
After muted applause but no open hostility from delegates, he said there was a "grand prize" available to local government, suggesting extra powers could be devolved to councils. | After muted applause but no open hostility from delegates, he said there was a "grand prize" available to local government, suggesting extra powers could be devolved to councils. |
Mr Andrews also said a "long debate" would now follow the publication of the Welsh government's proposed map. | Mr Andrews also said a "long debate" would now follow the publication of the Welsh government's proposed map. |
In a detailed speech, the minister cited examples around the UK where councils have dealt well with cuts by reforming their organisations. | In a detailed speech, the minister cited examples around the UK where councils have dealt well with cuts by reforming their organisations. |
Mr Andrews said the Welsh government had protected councils more than the UK government had in England, but there were "deep cuts" to come. | Mr Andrews said the Welsh government had protected councils more than the UK government had in England, but there were "deep cuts" to come. |