As media reports emerge of the Labour government’s new ‘map’ for council reorganisation – which could see the number of Welsh councils cut from 22 to single figures – Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Local Government, Janet Finch-Saunders AM, said:

“This Labour-led process has been a shambles from start to finish.

“Councils should not be forced to merge. It won’t work and it’s a one-way ticket to disaster.

“This lame excuse for reform will see us jump back in time to a structure long confined to the history books. That sums up Labour’s empty tank of ideas and imagination. All this does is serve their own narrow political self-interest.

“Any change in council structure should be led locally. If communities want it – and if councils can prove they can boost efficiency with a merger – no-one should stand in their way.

“This should be about local empowerment – not Labour oppression.”