Controversial Local Government Reform Plans Scrapped by Welsh Government…Again!

What now

An announcement at the WLGA Conference by the Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Public Services, Alun Davies AM, informed the audience that he has withdrawn the controversial proposals outlined in his Green Paper for local government reform, which would have seen forced council mergers to reduce the number of local authorities in Wales to 10.

 

Commenting, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Local Government, Janet Finch-Saunders AM said:

 

“These proposals were rejected almost universally by local authorities across Wales, as well as opposition parties in the Assembly.

“The Welsh Conservatives made clear from the start that we felt this was top-down Welsh Government diktat and would not be welcomed by those within the sector – who had previously been promised a decade of stability by the previous Cabinet Secretary.

 

“The Cabinet Secretary spoke of a partnership approach and active centres of self-governing local government – and we await the detail of this in his forthcoming Bill.

 

“I am pleased that he seems to have seen sense in withdrawing the map – but would urge the Cabinet Secretary to ensure that in bringing forward his new Bill, he takes the local government sector with him. Full and open public consultation throughout any reform proposal process is essential.

“I hope that he has learnt his lesson in this regard from the Green Paper debacle.”

 

ENDS

 

Notes:

20 out of 22 local authorities provided their response to the Green Paper to Janet Finch-Saunders AM – all but Swansea Council were in opposition to the merger proposals. Responses available on request.

 

Some key quotes from responses include:

  • Vale of Glamorgan: The previous Cabinet Secretary promised ten years of stability. This Cabinet Secretary has not provided ten months’ worth.
  • Newport: The proposals represent a distraction from the challenge of delivering services, and meeting the needs of increasingly complex communities
  • Monmouthshire: The Green Paper is silent on the core issues which are at the heart of the debate
  • Caerphilly: We cannot see that a wholescale local government reorganisation is something that should be considered, the financial benefits are debateable at best.
  • Ynys Môn: The First Minister needs to stick his Green Paper in the bin where it belongs