Welsh councils could be cut from 22 to 10
THE number of councils in Wales will be slashed to as few as 10 under “radical” plans put up for consultation last week.
But the Welsh Government’s latest plans to streamline the number of councils met with fierce criticism when they were unveiled.
Arfon AM Siân Gwenllian described the plans as “a shocking U-turn”, while Aberconwy AM Janet Finch-Saunders said the Welsh Government were to blame for a “failed local government system”.
Public services cabinet secretary Alun Davies is the third minister to look at changes to the structure of Wales’ 22 councils, following proposals from Leighton Andrews and Mark Drakeford.
The proposal, published last week, includes the option of the following councils merging together: Anglesey and Gwynedd Conwy and Denbighshire; Flintshire and Wrexham; Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire
Swansea and Neath Port Talbot
Bridgend, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil
Vale of Glamorgan and Cardiff Newport and Caerphilly; Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent and Monmouthshire.
Powys would remain as it is currently.
The average population of the new areas would be just over 311,000.
Mr Davies laid out three ways that councils could be reorganised to be better run. The options laid out by the cabinet secretary are between voluntary mergers, a phased approach or a comprehensive merger programme.
He told the Senedd on Wednesday that he knew that local government leaders were “committed” to working together.
However, the Welsh Local Government Association said that, while they welcomed the call, they had concerns. rns.
A spokesman said the announcement nt yesterday had d caused “disquiet and confusion”.
Mr Davies said he wanted to be open to discussions with those involved in councils and was “commmitted to a conversasation”.
He said: “I hope now we can have a positive, construc- tive and optimistic conversation about how we strengthen and empower local government in the future.” The documents show that no deadline would be set for whether councils wish to suggest a voluntary merger. Any authorities wanting to opt for phased mergers in 2022 and 2026 would have to approach Welsh Government by 2021. Under Unde the third option for a comprehensive mer merger, the first electio tions to the new c councils would t take place in June 2021 to create “shadow authorities”. The new au authorities would ass assume the full rang range of local government functions and responsib responsibilities on vesting day of 1 April 2022.
Mr Davies said there should be fewer, larger authorities, but that reorganisation has to be more than just changing the size and number of councils.
He said councillors should get better support and resources.
“The pressures on elected members, combined with the level of remuneration, makes the role unattractive to many people who would make excellent councillors,” he said.
“They cannot afford, either in financial or personal terms, to make the commitment needed.
“We want councillors to fully reflect our communities and be representative of the diversity of experience, interests and priorities in those communities”.
Mr Davies added: “The next step must be game-changing.
“I believe there are many in local government who understand this and I am committed to working with them to secure change. A HIKE in visitor numbers and rescues on Wales’ highest peak has sparked plans to build a weather station on the summit.
Nearly 500,000 people walked up Snowdon last year, a figure expected to rise after extensive TV and other promotional coverage in recent months.
In a bid to improve safety, National Resources Wales has proposed a weather station – Snowdon Live – be constructed on the roof of summit building Hafod Eryri to provide real-time condition updates.
A spokesman said: “There were concerns raised by police and res- cue services that promotional activities are contributing to an increase in incidents.
Snowdonia has one of the busiest mountain rescue teams in the UK, with an average of 150-200 incidents annually. One of the major factors that lead to rescue situations is poor weather.”
The system would take temperatures year-round, but other readings (wind, humidity etc) would not be taken only in winter until a solution can be found to de-ice sensors.
The station has been designed to mitigate against the risk of lighting strike, and Snowdonia National Park will consider the plan.
“I recognise there are a number of challenges in creating larger, stronger authorities; but these challenges are not insurmountable.
“If we do proceed with one of the options for creating larger authorities in the future, we will provide early practical support to local authorities.”
Conservative AM Ms FinchSaunders said it was “yet another attempt to get a grip of a failed local government system”.
She said the blame was not with council staff, but with the Welsh Government.
Plaid Cymru AM Ms Gwenllian said: “After two years of going in one direction under Mark Drakeford, we’re seeing a new cabinet secretary bringing a green paper forward with a substantial and shocking U-turn in this saga. This farce poses fundamental questions on the ability of this Government to govern effectively.”