Thomas Bridge 03 June 2015

Local government system ‘bleeding to death’, warns Welsh council leader

A council leader has called for fast-paced local government reorganisation in Wales because the current system is ‘bleeding to death’.

Dyfed Edwards, leader of Gwynedd Council, told the BBC that town halls were all ‘struggling’ and needed to ‘change sooner rather than later’.

Edwards, who is also deputy presiding officer of the Welsh Local Government Association, warned local authorities would not be able to continue services under current levels of budget cuts.

‘If reorganisation is going to happen, let's get on with it,’ he added.

‘Yes there will be upheaval in the short term, but it's that long term gain which is worth the effort.’

Two Welsh Assembly committees last month pushed the Welsh Government for greater detail on plans to reduce the number of councils from 22 to between 10 and 12.

A draft bill due to be published this autumn will detail planned leadership reforms, measures designed to raise diversity among elected members and efforts to improve local authority management.

A new map of Welsh councils is also due to be published later this summer.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Adult Social Worker Mental Health

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£38,976 - £52,767
Mental Health Social Worker
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Director of Finance (Deputy Section 151 Officer)

Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Council
up to salary max £121,445 per annum
We are now seeking a Director of Finance and Deputy Section 151 Officer to play a pivotal role Hybrid / Kingston Upon Thames
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Council

Principal Engineer - Adoptions

West Northamptonshire Council
£49,587 - £52,860
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Principal Highways Engineer to join our Highways Development Management team at West Northamptonshire Council. This is a senior role leading on the assessment, negotiation, and delivery of highway works linked t Northampton
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council

Head of Highway Operations

Derbyshire County Council
Grade 15 £63,002 - £69,103 per annum
As we begin to implement our new structure, we have an exciting leadership opportunity as the head of our new operations service. Derbyshire
Recuriter: Derbyshire County Council

Trainee Roadworker Driver

Derbyshire County Council
Grade 5 £25,185 - £25,583 per annum
We’re looking for Roadworker/trainee LGV drivers to be part of our team undertaking all aspects of highways maintenance and improvement works Derbyshire
Recuriter: Derbyshire County Council
Linkedin Banner