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Councils in Wales 'will not merge for a decade' | Councils in Wales 'will not merge for a decade' |
(35 minutes later) | |
A council leader has said he does not believe local authorities in Wales will merge for at least 10 years. | A council leader has said he does not believe local authorities in Wales will merge for at least 10 years. |
The Welsh Government had suggested the number of councils in Wales be reduced from 22 to around eight or nine. | The Welsh Government had suggested the number of councils in Wales be reduced from 22 to around eight or nine. |
But Carmarthenshire leader Emlyn Dole said he has been told his council "will remain for at least 10 years". | But Carmarthenshire leader Emlyn Dole said he has been told his council "will remain for at least 10 years". |
Local Government Secretary Mark Drakeford will make a statement about reforming councils later in September. | Local Government Secretary Mark Drakeford will make a statement about reforming councils later in September. |
Mr Dole told S4C's Newyddion 9 that he had received assurances about the immediate future of Carmarthenshire from Mr Drakeford. | Mr Dole told S4C's Newyddion 9 that he had received assurances about the immediate future of Carmarthenshire from Mr Drakeford. |
He added: "The authorities will remain, unless they themselves want to merge. But there will be more of a regional footprint - working together on a regional level." | He added: "The authorities will remain, unless they themselves want to merge. But there will be more of a regional footprint - working together on a regional level." |
Local councils are already working together on regional consortia involved with improving education standards. | Local councils are already working together on regional consortia involved with improving education standards. |
Ten local authorities are part of the Cardiff City Deal to boost the prospects of the south east region. | Ten local authorities are part of the Cardiff City Deal to boost the prospects of the south east region. |
There is similar co-working on plans to develop the economies of north and south west Wales. | There is similar co-working on plans to develop the economies of north and south west Wales. |
Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire are now repackaging black bag rubbish from the same site in Pembroke Dock - which is then sent to Sweden and recycled to heat houses. | Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire are now repackaging black bag rubbish from the same site in Pembroke Dock - which is then sent to Sweden and recycled to heat houses. |
'Has to come' | 'Has to come' |
Dyfed Edwards, leader of Gwynedd council, told Newyddion 9 he would rather see a plan for reorganisation than face another decade without changes. | Dyfed Edwards, leader of Gwynedd council, told Newyddion 9 he would rather see a plan for reorganisation than face another decade without changes. |
He added: "We need a new system of councils so that we can face not just the next decade, but the next 50 years. That has to come some day. | He added: "We need a new system of councils so that we can face not just the next decade, but the next 50 years. That has to come some day. |
"I was a supporter of the ex-minister's plan to create new local authorities that could serve citizens across Wales. | "I was a supporter of the ex-minister's plan to create new local authorities that could serve citizens across Wales. |
"There wasn't much support within councils for a new map in terms of reorganisation. | "There wasn't much support within councils for a new map in terms of reorganisation. |
"The only way it will happen is through voluntary agreements. Or if we look at a regional structure where services are brought together." | "The only way it will happen is through voluntary agreements. Or if we look at a regional structure where services are brought together." |
The Welsh Conservatives' local government spokeswoman Janet Finch-Saunders called for "certainty and continuity". | |
"If Labour's planned council mergers have been shelved for up to a decade then it will be very humbling indeed for the First Minister, whose government used up a lot of capital trying to force them through," she said. | |
"Instead of starting the process with a radical review of the services provided by local authorities, Labour ministers became pre-occupied with the geography of the new council map - which was completely the wrong way around." |