Leader of Cardiff Council open to merger with Vale
CARDIFF Council leader Huw Thomas has said he’s open to a merger with the Vale of Glamorgan – because the capital may need to expand as it’s running out of space.
The Welsh Government earlier this year announced plans to cut the number of councils in Wales from 22 to as few as 10.
Cardiff Council and the Vale of Glamorgan Council could merge if the plans go ahead, as could Bridgend with Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil, Newport with Caerphilly and Swansea with Neath Port Talbot.
Councillor Thomas told Cardiff Council on Thursday night that he is “very open” to merging with the Vale of Glamorgan.
The Conservative leader of Vale of Glamorgan Council, Councillor John Thomas, has previously said there is “no good reason” for the authorities to merge.
Cllr Huw Thomas told the full council meeting last night: “I’m very open to merging with the Vale of Glamorgan. The old South Glamorgan footprint is a good footprint for a local authority.
“There is a significant area of co-operation that can be achieved and suitability and compatibility of our two authorities.
“I fully recognise and respect the very different views the leader of the Vale has. I do want to put on record the excellent cooperation that exists on a regional footprint between our two authorities. Let’s not let this distraction get in the way of our delivery arrangements.
“When I look at our local development plan, and the need for a future local development plan, and the rate at which Cardiff is growing, there comes a point when there’s no further land for the Cardiff authority to expand into.
“In that regard, I think there is a case, perhaps not enough for a full merger with the Vale, but for expanding the borders of Cardiff.
“That’s a conversation that should be had in a grown-up manner.”
In a written statement to the council, Cllr Thomas said he welcomed the “constructive approach” taken by the Welsh Gov- ernment’s public services cabinet secretary Alun Davies in setting out these plans, and said it is an “invaluable opportunity”.
“I am clear, however, that I would have concerns about any process of reorganisation or of regionalisation which distracted us from our delivery agenda or which weakens the accountability of decisionmakers to the citizens of Cardiff,” he said.
Cllr Thomas was responding to Conservative and Liberal Democrat councillors about the proposed merger and what powers could be devolved to local government as part of the plans.
Conservative councillor Joel Williams said there is a split between the Labour groups in Cardiff and the Vale on the issue.
“Labour Party councils have spoken loudly and clearly that they don’t want these mergers to go ahead,” he said.
“My spies in the Labour camp of the Vale of Glamorgan tell me they don’t want a merger with Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.”
Cllr Thomas also told members he would like to see areas such as public health moved into local government control, and that there is a strong argument for Cardiff to retain “some or all” of its business rates.