Spokesperson’s Questions to the Minster for Public Services
Thank you. Minister, your statement yesterday regarding consultation on the draft Local Government (Wales) Bill notes that there is still no clear consensus on the future local government structure. Having previously told those working across local government to ‘grow up’ over your dramatic merger proposals, how do you envisage working productively with a new Welsh Government and local government after this Assembly term?
Can I say to the Conservative Member that my remarks at committee were, of course, directed to some of the representatives of the Welsh Local Government Association who had previously given evidence to the committee and made what I thought were unhelpful and unfortunate remarks?
Thank you, Minister. Having previously described the concerns of the Wales Audit Office relating to the draft Local Government (Wales) Bill affecting audit independence as ‘absurd’, how do you now respond to the findings of the Auditor General for Wales that section 143 of the Bill falls foul of both section 108 and Part 2 of the Government of Wales Act 2006, as is detailed in his comprehensive letter to the chairman of the Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee?
I don’t agree with the auditor general.
Thank you. Finally, Minister, as these are my last questions of this Assembly term, could I just thank you for responding to my questions as the spokesperson most courteously and with some humour? [Laughter.] Minister, the reports of the Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee into the draft Local Government (Wales) Bill urges further consideration, in conjunction with the WLGA, as to how the cost of merges may be met without significant cuts to front-line services. Wouldn’t you agree with me that the next Welsh Government must commit to working with the WLGA on this matter? After all, they are the ones that truly reflect the members for whom they serve.
Can I start by saying that I have thoroughly enjoyed crossing swords with the Member in this Chamber and in committee over the last 18 months as we’ve held the respective portfolio responsibilities? In respect to the WLGA, I always listen to what they have to say.
Minister, the report of the Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee on the draft Local Government (Wales) Bill calls for an exploration of the impact of council tax harmonisation, with a view to providing robust cost estimates alongside the publication of the final Bill. Residents in Conwy would face potential increases of another 11 per cent on band D council tax bills should mergers result in upward harmonisation. As this is considered a matter of urgency to be addressed, will you be doing just this before this Assembly term ends and before we go into dissolution?
Well, the Member continues to pre-judge the outcomes of any future merger programme and their impact on council tax levels. I do not pre-judge those at all.