Welcoming the Cabinet Secretary’s statement on local government reform, Councillor Debbie Wilcox, WLGA Leader stated:
“This approach to taking forward the issue of local government reform is to be welcomed. The WLGA’s position is clear. We are fully supportive of any councils who desire to voluntary merge or those who wish to work at the wider regional level in collaboration to deliver services and this group will consider the potential support that might be available should councils choose to merge.”
“The key point is that sustainability is not achieved by structures but resources and service transformation. It is also imperative that we discuss the resource base of councils to ensure financial sustainability. As the current crisis in large English County Councils show austerity does not respect scale particularly as a consequence of the spiralling cost of social care.”
“The formation of this joint working group is therefore timely to address such issues, and strengthens the democratic base and powers available to councils.”
ENDS
https://gov.wales/newsroom/localgovernment/2018/next-steps-to-strengthen-local-government-announced/?lang=en