Mark Conrad 20 March 2018

Welsh Government in new push for larger councils

Local government in Wales is facing a radical overhaul, with ministers consulting on plans to create ‘larger, stronger councils’.

The Welsh Government has published a green paper consultation exploring the idea of reorganising the country’s hard-up councils through either voluntary mergers or forced reconfigurations.

It follows months of research by Wales’ cabinet secretary for public services, Alun Davies, who has visited council leaders to discuss how to tackle financial and sustainability challenges facing the sector amid austerity.

Mr Davies said: ‘Wales needs strong, effective, empowered local authorities which can weather continued austerity and build local democratic structures fit for future generations.

‘I do not believe that our local authorities, as currently constituted, can fully play this role and I am not alone.

‘Councils have been clear that services are wearing down to the point of collapse, and there is a general acceptance that things cannot carry on as they are and a general acknowledgement that more money, even if it was available, would not solve the problem.

‘I also know local government has made real efforts to change, adapt and invest for the future but I also understand that, in the face of UK Government cuts, there are limited options to ensuring the future sustainability of local services. 

‘Unless we do something radical in response to these challenges we all recognise the role of local government will increasingly be one of managed decline.’

Under the plans, councils could be handed further devolved powers if they sign-up to reorganisation.

The Welsh Government will now attempt to produce an ‘agreed template’ for future reforms, which will determine how mergers would take place.

A spokesman for the Welsh Local Government Association said the announcement had caused ‘disquiet and confusion’.

He added: ‘It has arrived midway through the assembly term and following the recent Welsh Government assurance that no reorganisation would occur for 10 years.

‘The proposals are yet to be fully costed and most academic analysis concludes that such reform programmes rarely deliver the savings or changes in performance that were hoped.

‘As current examples in England show, scale is not an answer to the crisis in social care and deepening austerity.

‘Merging authorities on the breadline to create larger authorities without the necessary resources is not a sustainable solution to the problems councils face.’

Mapping successful 15-minute cities image

Mapping successful 15-minute cities

Is GIS the difference between success and failure for 15-minute neighbourhoods? Alex Zirpolo, principal GIS consultant at Lanpro, argues it is.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Estates Officer - Uttlesford District Council

Essex County Council
Up to £15.0000 per hour
Estates OfficerFull-Time, Temporary*37 Hours per Week£15 per Hour Closing Date
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Financial Accountant

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Negotiable
Help us get the details right - so we can deliver what matters most.As a Financial Accountant, you'll play a key role in keeping our finances sound an England, London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Estates Surveyor

North Yorkshire Council
£37,035 - £45,718 per annum
If you are a member of RICS, looking for you next challenge and have experience as a quantity surveyor, we would love to hear from you! Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Planning Solicitor

Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council
Grade 8, £41,511 up to £45,718 per annum pro rata (Pay award pending)
This role requires the expertise of a seasoned planning lawyer Hinckley, Leicestershire
Recuriter: Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council

Principal Information Governance Officer

Derby City Council
H £36,124 - £38,626 per year
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Information Governance team at Derby City Council. Derby, Derbyshire
Recuriter: Derby City Council
Linkedin Banner