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Local councils in Wales could be cut after review Local councils in Wales could be cut after review
(35 minutes later)
Local councils in Wales could face a big shake-up under a major review into the way public services are run.Local councils in Wales could face a big shake-up under a major review into the way public services are run.
The Welsh government has ruled out any large reorganisation before the next assembly election.The Welsh government has ruled out any large reorganisation before the next assembly election.
But a review is seen as an attempt to reach an agreement on cutting some of the 22 Welsh councils after 2016.But a review is seen as an attempt to reach an agreement on cutting some of the 22 Welsh councils after 2016.
First Minister Carwyn Jones said he would reveal the remit of the commission to the Welsh assembly "in due course".First Minister Carwyn Jones said he would reveal the remit of the commission to the Welsh assembly "in due course".
He made the low-key announcement in a written statement.He made the low-key announcement in a written statement.
'Pressures grow'
The Commission on Public Service Governance and Delivery will be chaired by former Welsh NHS chief executive Sir Paul Williams and include representatives of the main political parties and local government.The Commission on Public Service Governance and Delivery will be chaired by former Welsh NHS chief executive Sir Paul Williams and include representatives of the main political parties and local government.
In his statement, the first minister said: "Since public sector budgets are likely to continue to tighten, and demand pressures grow, there is a clear need to examine how services can be sustained and standards of performance raised, so that people in Wales can continue to receive and influence the public services they need and value.In his statement, the first minister said: "Since public sector budgets are likely to continue to tighten, and demand pressures grow, there is a clear need to examine how services can be sustained and standards of performance raised, so that people in Wales can continue to receive and influence the public services they need and value.
"And as we can see from the impact of the current financial decisions by the UK government, a healthy public sector is essential to a healthy economy."And as we can see from the impact of the current financial decisions by the UK government, a healthy public sector is essential to a healthy economy.
"The establishment of this Commission on Public Service Governance and Delivery provides an opportunity for those who are involved in delivering services, those who are politically accountable for them and users of them to examine how public services are governed: that is, held accountable for their performance and delivered most effectively to the public."The establishment of this Commission on Public Service Governance and Delivery provides an opportunity for those who are involved in delivering services, those who are politically accountable for them and users of them to examine how public services are governed: that is, held accountable for their performance and delivered most effectively to the public.
"I will make a further statement to the Assembly on the remit of the Commission in due course.""I will make a further statement to the Assembly on the remit of the Commission in due course."
Financial challenges
In recent months senior local government figures have urged ministers to draw up plans to merge local authorities, nearly two decades after the restructuring which created the current 22 authorities in 1995.In recent months senior local government figures have urged ministers to draw up plans to merge local authorities, nearly two decades after the restructuring which created the current 22 authorities in 1995.
In March Gwynedd council leader Dyfed Edwards said hundreds of millions of pounds could be saved if the existing six north Wales local authorities were replaced by just two.In March Gwynedd council leader Dyfed Edwards said hundreds of millions of pounds could be saved if the existing six north Wales local authorities were replaced by just two.
Mr Edwards said one council for the north east and another for north west Wales could address a "significant financial challenge".Mr Edwards said one council for the north east and another for north west Wales could address a "significant financial challenge".
Meanwhile Cardiff council cabinet member and former leader Russell Goodway told the Western Mail the number of councils in Wales should be cut to just seven.Meanwhile Cardiff council cabinet member and former leader Russell Goodway told the Western Mail the number of councils in Wales should be cut to just seven.
Local councils have been urged to co-operate more closely to improve performance, by sharing resources and in some cases merging key departments.Local councils have been urged to co-operate more closely to improve performance, by sharing resources and in some cases merging key departments.
Rhondda Cynon Taf has been asked to consider merging its education service with that of neighbouring Merthyr Tydfil, which was stripped of its responsibility for schools following a critical report by inspectors from Estyn.Rhondda Cynon Taf has been asked to consider merging its education service with that of neighbouring Merthyr Tydfil, which was stripped of its responsibility for schools following a critical report by inspectors from Estyn.
But Caerphilly councillors have rejected plans to merge its social services department with that of Blaenau Gwent amid concerns about the "significant risk" posed by taking on the latter's £1m deficit.But Caerphilly councillors have rejected plans to merge its social services department with that of Blaenau Gwent amid concerns about the "significant risk" posed by taking on the latter's £1m deficit.