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Council merger plans rejected by Leighton Andrews Council merger plans rejected by Leighton Andrews
(about 1 hour later)
Voluntary merger plans by six Welsh councils have been rejected by the public services minister.Voluntary merger plans by six Welsh councils have been rejected by the public services minister.
The Williams Commission had called for the 22 councils to be cut by half.The Williams Commission had called for the 22 councils to be cut by half.
Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen, Bridgend and the Vale of Glamorgan, and Conwy and Denbighshire had suggested pairing up in response to an appeal for voluntary mergers by Leighton Andrews.Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen, Bridgend and the Vale of Glamorgan, and Conwy and Denbighshire had suggested pairing up in response to an appeal for voluntary mergers by Leighton Andrews.
However the minister said he was "not persuaded" that the councils had set out a "compelling vision" for merger.However the minister said he was "not persuaded" that the councils had set out a "compelling vision" for merger.
The decision came after a study of the proposals submitted by the end of November.
In a statement on Tuesday, Mr Andrews said: "I am disappointed to report that on the basis of this assessment I am not persuaded that any one of these Expressions of Interest sufficiently meets the criteria for moving ahead to prepare a full Voluntary Merger Proposal."In a statement on Tuesday, Mr Andrews said: "I am disappointed to report that on the basis of this assessment I am not persuaded that any one of these Expressions of Interest sufficiently meets the criteria for moving ahead to prepare a full Voluntary Merger Proposal."
He emphasised the need for councils' merger proposals to set out a "compelling vision" and provide assurances that the new authorities would "reduce complexity" and increase the "coherence" of public services.He emphasised the need for councils' merger proposals to set out a "compelling vision" and provide assurances that the new authorities would "reduce complexity" and increase the "coherence" of public services.
'Hell bent''Hell bent'
Denbighshire council leader Hugh Evans said the authority was "astounded" by the announcement and felt the minister had "missed a real opportunity".Denbighshire council leader Hugh Evans said the authority was "astounded" by the announcement and felt the minister had "missed a real opportunity".
Vale of Glamorgan council leader Neil Moore said he was "deeply saddened" that the plan to merge with Bridgend had been rejected.Vale of Glamorgan council leader Neil Moore said he was "deeply saddened" that the plan to merge with Bridgend had been rejected.
Conservative shadow local government minister Janet Finch-Saunders called the "astounding" development "another symptom of Labour's haphazard, uncertain approach to managing local government in Wales".Conservative shadow local government minister Janet Finch-Saunders called the "astounding" development "another symptom of Labour's haphazard, uncertain approach to managing local government in Wales".
Plaid Cymru spokesman Rhodri Glyn Thomas said Mr Andrews "clearly has other plans" and called on him to "come clean with the assembly and tell us what exactly his plan is".Plaid Cymru spokesman Rhodri Glyn Thomas said Mr Andrews "clearly has other plans" and called on him to "come clean with the assembly and tell us what exactly his plan is".
Liberal Democrat Peter Black said Labour seemed "hell bent on ignoring local democracy and ploughing ahead with their preferred combinations at all costs".Liberal Democrat Peter Black said Labour seemed "hell bent on ignoring local democracy and ploughing ahead with their preferred combinations at all costs".
A bill paving the way for voluntary council mergers was published by Mr Andrews on Monday.A bill paving the way for voluntary council mergers was published by Mr Andrews on Monday.
Responding to queries during First Minister's Questions in the Senedd on Tuesday, Carwyn Jones said the Williams Commission recommendation of a reduced number of 10-12 councils remained the "preferred option".
However, he called on leaders of the other parties to meet him and "move forward" on an agreed map for local government.
Analysis: BBC Wales political editor Nick ServiniAnalysis: BBC Wales political editor Nick Servini
Is Williams dead?Is Williams dead?
Last year the Williams Commission recommended that the existing 22 councils should be reduced by around half through a series of mergers.Last year the Williams Commission recommended that the existing 22 councils should be reduced by around half through a series of mergers.
It was actually a small part of the report but inevitably it generated the most attention.It was actually a small part of the report but inevitably it generated the most attention.
Since then the Welsh government has been urging council leaders to take control of their own destinies and look to merge with a neighbour.Since then the Welsh government has been urging council leaders to take control of their own destinies and look to merge with a neighbour.
This decision throws that strategy into doubt.This decision throws that strategy into doubt.
Leighton Andrews indicated last year that there are "well known" figures in Welsh Labour who want as few as six councils.Leighton Andrews indicated last year that there are "well known" figures in Welsh Labour who want as few as six councils.
It would suggest the proposals were thrown out because the new authorities would not have been big enough.It would suggest the proposals were thrown out because the new authorities would not have been big enough.