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Denbighshire council discusses Conwy merger 'advantages' Denbighshire council votes to explore Conwy merger
(about 7 hours later)
A "do it yourself" merger between Denbighshire and Conwy councils would be better than having changes forced on them, claims one chief executive. Denbighshire councillors have voted to explore a possible voluntary merger with Conwy council.
Denbighshire council will discuss what its chief executive calls "advantages" to a voluntary merger by 2018. Mohammed Mehmet, Denbighshire's chief executive, recommended a proposal to express an interest in the move which was backed by 32 votes.
The Welsh government wants 12 local authorities instead of the current 22.
Conwy council rejected talks on a voluntary merger in January, but will look at it again later this month.Conwy council rejected talks on a voluntary merger in January, but will look at it again later this month.
The Williams Commission proposes reducing council numbers from 22 to between 10 and 12.The Williams Commission proposes reducing council numbers from 22 to between 10 and 12.
But local government leaders have been worried that the cost of the shake-up could total £200m - twice the estimate. However, local government leaders have been worried the shake-up could cost £200m - twice the estimate.
A deadline of 1 October has been set for councils to respond to a Welsh government consultation on mergers.A deadline of 1 October has been set for councils to respond to a Welsh government consultation on mergers.
Another option would be Denbighshire joining Flintshire and Wrexham councils but there has been resistance. Denbighshire's proposal on Tuesday was supported by 32 votes at a full council meeting, with one abstention and one against.
Denbighshire's chief executive Mohammed Mehmet recommends that if neighbouring Conwy agree, it should move towards a voluntary merger by April 2018 - which would see local elections delayed a year until then. Mr Mehmet has claimed there are "advantages" to a voluntary merger by 2018 rather than having changes forced on them.
He warned that objecting to the plan to reduce the number of councils was not a "neutral" position.
He said he did not think Denbighshire council could deliver effectively the budget cuts it faced in future, and warned the authority faced another six years of difficult decisions.
Mr Mehmet recommended that if neighbouring Conwy agree, it should move towards a voluntary merger by April 2018 - which would see local elections delayed a year until then.
'Lap dog''Lap dog'
But he accepts that a "substantial financial and support package" from ministers would need to be agreed in advance. However, he accepted that a "substantial financial and support package" from ministers would need to be agreed in advance.
"If it is accepted that mergers, or something else that closes Denbighshire down within the next six years is inevitable then there are several advantages to choosing an earlier merger," says Mr Mehmet. "If it is accepted that mergers, or something else that closes Denbighshire down within the next six years is inevitable then there are several advantages to choosing an earlier merger," said Mr Mehmet.
These include:These include:
A Conwy council spokeswoman said a report on the matter was due out in the next week ahead of its council meeting on 18 September.A Conwy council spokeswoman said a report on the matter was due out in the next week ahead of its council meeting on 18 September.
In January, Conwy council leaders rejected talk of a voluntary merger, calling it "foolish." In January, Conwy council leaders rejected talk of a voluntary merger, calling it "foolish".
Deputy leader Ronnie Hughes said: "I'm not going to lie down like a lap dog and let people stroke my stomach."Deputy leader Ronnie Hughes said: "I'm not going to lie down like a lap dog and let people stroke my stomach."
But Mr Mehmet says waiting to see what happens would not alter deeper cuts to Denbighshire's budget over the next few years. Mr Mehmet said waiting to see what happens would not alter deeper cuts to Denbighshire's budget over the next few years.
It faces finding £18m budget cuts over the next two years, £4m more than expected in what it calls "the most challenging financial period the council has faced". It faces finding £18m of budget cuts over the next two years, £4m more than expected in what it calls "the most challenging financial period the council has faced".
The council discusses the way forward on Tuesday.
It could introduce charges for green waste from next year and cut £100,000 from street cleaning, save £200,000 by reviewing the welfare and benefits advice service and £118,000 in leisure centre efficiencies.
"Making severe cuts for several years, followed by enforced merger, does not appear as a particularly good outcome for residents or the council," said Mr Mehmet.
The Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) claims Wales' 22 councils need to save £900m by 2018 from their budgets.The Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) claims Wales' 22 councils need to save £900m by 2018 from their budgets.