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Williams Commission report calls for fewer councils Williams Commission report calls for fewer councils
(about 1 hour later)
Councils in Wales should merge leaving 10, 11 or 12 local authorities rather than the current 22, a report has recommended.Councils in Wales should merge leaving 10, 11 or 12 local authorities rather than the current 22, a report has recommended.
The Williams Commission said the changes must be agreed by Easter this year at the latest.The Williams Commission said the changes must be agreed by Easter this year at the latest.
The reorganisation suggests reducing council numbers by mergers using existing boundaries.The reorganisation suggests reducing council numbers by mergers using existing boundaries.
Opposition AMs have said they are concerned about the potential costs and loss of local identity in some areas.Opposition AMs have said they are concerned about the potential costs and loss of local identity in some areas.
The report, by former NHS Wales chief executive Paul Williams, considers how many areas of public services can be improved and made more accountable.The report, by former NHS Wales chief executive Paul Williams, considers how many areas of public services can be improved and made more accountable.
Attention is focused on the recommendations for local authorities, last reorganised two decades ago.Attention is focused on the recommendations for local authorities, last reorganised two decades ago.
The report recommends that the new councils should be within current health board and police force areas and also not cross the geographical areas governing eligibility for EU aid. The report recommends the new councils should be within current health board and police force areas and also not cross the geographical areas governing eligibility for EU aid.
"Change must be implemented quickly and decisively, with full commitment and strong leadership at all levels," the report said. The report said change must be implemented "quickly and decisively".
"We have reflected very carefully on our findings and conclusions on this issue. We are well aware that what we propose will incur costs, and will be disruptive and controversial - but we are convinced that doing nothing would be worse." "We have reflected very carefully on our findings and conclusions on this issue. We are well aware that what we propose will incur costs, and will be disruptive and controversial - but we are convinced that doing nothing would be worse," it added.
The report has concluded that, as a minimum, the following local authorities should merge: The report has concluded, as a minimum, the following local authorities should merge:
With Carmarthenshire, Powys and Swansea unchanged, this would yield 12 authorities.With Carmarthenshire, Powys and Swansea unchanged, this would yield 12 authorities.
Using these mergers as building blocks, the report said, there were other viable possibilities resulting in 11 or 10 local authorities.Using these mergers as building blocks, the report said, there were other viable possibilities resulting in 11 or 10 local authorities.
Swansea could merge with Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend to form a single local authority, giving 11 local authorities in total.Swansea could merge with Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend to form a single local authority, giving 11 local authorities in total.
That single local authority would serve a relatively large population, although there are more populous local authorities in both England and Scotland. This arrangement would support current growth of a vibrant economy along the M4 corridor, said the report. That single local authority would serve a relatively large population, although there are more populous local authorities in both England and Scotland. This would support current growth of a "vibrant economy" along the M4, said the report.
It is also an option to merge Carmarthenshire with Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire to form a single local authority, again yielding 11 local authorities in total.It is also an option to merge Carmarthenshire with Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire to form a single local authority, again yielding 11 local authorities in total.
"While this area has some things in common in economic, demographic and linguistic terms it is also geographically very large and diverse," the report said."While this area has some things in common in economic, demographic and linguistic terms it is also geographically very large and diverse," the report said.
It added delivering services across such an area and generating fair and effective democratic governance would be "challenging".It added delivering services across such an area and generating fair and effective democratic governance would be "challenging".
The report said reorganisation would lead to costs. The cost of merging Welsh councils could be met from savings made within as little as 18 months to two-and-a-half years, the Williams report predicted.
"But we are able to forecast that the costs of merger could be recouped from the recurring savings in between 18 and 30 months if the programme is effectively managed and led, and that annual savings beyond that would be very significant," the report said. While it does not put a figure on the costings, the report said: "If merger is implemented properly and with pace, it can protect front-line services and jobs sustainably and effectively. That alone makes a compelling case for the changes we propose."
"Meeting the costs of change is a matter for the Welsh government to determine, but we believe that any funding model should reflect the fact that reform will benefit the whole public sector, not just smaller local authorities." Smaller local councils are much more likely to suffer problems, the Williams report said, because they lack the "leadership, managerial and professional expertise" of bigger ones.
It said there was evidence of "excessive costs and overheads" in smaller organisations when looking at data for corporate management overheads, and for unit costs and service volumes in waste management and highways. While some smaller bodies are "exceptionally well-led" they may find it harder to "attract and retain high-calibre leaders".
"We found clear and significant evidence of economies of scale," the report said. The report says one small council has had seven directors of education in the past seven years.
"For instance, smaller local authorities typically pay up to £50 more per citizen in corporate and democratic costs than larger ones. In each case, if the unit costs of all local authorities were reduced to the levels of the largest, the annual savings would run into tens of millions of pounds." Smaller organisations also show evidence of "excessive costs and overheads".
The report said: "We believe this represents the minimum viable level of change." The report also said fire and ambulance services should work more closely together.
Responding to the report, First Minister Carwyn Jones said: "I'd like to thank Sir Paul Williams and the commission for their hard work in gathering wide-ranging evidence for this report, including from those who deliver and use public services. "While there are some local examples of good joint working, they are sporadic and piecemeal," it said.
"This report addresses many issues that are critical at a time when the need for public services is outstripping the resources available to provide them. I have always been clear that the status quo is not an option. Sir Paul said both services must deliver a strategic plan for operational co-ordination.
"People across Wales rely heavily on the vital services delivered by the public sector every day. Change is inevitable and essential so that our public services can become more efficient, effective, accessible and responsive. "Subject to the findings of the second phase of the Silk Commission and their implementation, the Welsh government should consider extending this approach across all three emergency services," the report said.;
"I will now take time to consider the report in detail and respond in due course." Responding to the report, First Minister Carwyn Jones said: "This report addresses many issues that are critical at a time when the need for public services is outstripping the resources available to provide them. I have always been clear that the status quo is not an option.
Chair of the commission, Sir Paul Williams, said he was "very pleased" with the report, which was the culmination of eight months' work. "Change is inevitable and essential so that our public services can become more efficient, effective, accessible and responsive."
"We are very clear that public services in Wales face severe and prolonged challenges," he said. Janet Finch-Saunders AM, shadow minister for local government, said: "What matters to the vast majority of hardworking families is not the intricate structures of local government, but knowing that services will be delivered in an efficient and cost effective way.
"The effects of recession and austerity on public sector budgets will continue to be felt for many years. At the same time, our population is changing, meaning that the need for some of our most intensive and costly public services is bound to grow." "We believe that public services are best delivered locally so taxpayers can hold local representatives to account for what happens in their community."
Sir Paul said demand for public services was growing, through demographic change and increasing public expectations, while resources were falling. Plaid Cymru AM Rhodri Glyn Thomas said the government needed to take "direct" action.
"The weight of evidence presented to the Williams Commission shows that if the people of Wales are going to get the services they need and deserve then there has to be a radical improvement in the way public services are delivered," he said.
Chair of the commission, Sir Paul Williams, said he was "very pleased" with the report, and public services in Wales faced "severe and prolonged challenges".
"Radical change is needed for public services to survive in a viable and sustainable form," he said."Radical change is needed for public services to survive in a viable and sustainable form," he said.
"We cannot deny or ignore current and future challenges; instead, we need a public sector which can rise to meet them." But leader of Pembrokeshire council Jamie Adams said the "projected benefits are superficial".
"It is a gamble and with every gamble there is a risk," he said.