Y Llywydd / The Presiding Officer

I call on the opposition spokesperson, Janet Finch-Saunders.

Janet Finch-Saunders

Minister, I would like to place on record my acknowledgement of the immense work undertaken by the Williams commission in bringing forward 62 key recommendations. However, irrespective of the eventual local authority numbers, this report highlights significant failings and required improvements now, as a matter of some urgency. Do you support these recommendations?

Lesley Griffiths

I cannot give you a blanket ‘yes’ for all 62; obviously, we will need time to consider all 62. I should also place my thanks on the record to all members of the Williams commission for their work.

The Williams report did not lay the blame anywhere. It highlighted some very difficult areas of public service performance and provision. The words ‘patchy’ and ‘poor’ in places were used and it is characterised by a lack of ambition. It is something that local government and the Welsh Government need to look at. We work in partnership. However, it sets out very clearly why radical action is needed.

Janet Finch-Saunders

Failings include the Welsh Government not always driving and supporting collaboration effectively and indiscriminately and without due regard to costs and benefits. Williams highlights failures in the current scrutiny process and governance failures in Anglesey, Blaenau Gwent and Caerphilly and, of course, we know about Carmarthen. Does this not cement the assertion by Williams that local government performance in Wales under your stewardship has a long way to go to reach best in class, and that is in the report?