The merger between Caerphilly and Blaenau Gwent’s social services has been welcomed by the Welsh Government.
Deputy Minister for health and social services Gwenda Thomas praised the planned merger after the issue was raised by South Wales East regional AM Lindsay Whittle.
Speaking in the Senedd, the former leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council, asked: “Would the Minister agree that the merging of the social services departments in Caerphilly and Blaenau Gwent councils in my region is to be commended and that this form of collaboration should be encouraged across Wales, and audited to identify examples of best practice?”
The Deputy Minister responded: “Our policy is set out in ‘Sustainable Social Services: A Framework for Action’, which requires local authorities to work together in the commissioning and development of services. It requires local government to present outline proposals to us by the end of 2011 on how our expectations will be met.
“In March, I wrote to council leaders asking them how they were going to lead and implement those parts of ‘Sustainable Social Services’ that fall to them. The collaboration between Caerphilly and Blaenau Gwent is exactly what we want to see and I wish them well with that work.”
The merging, which aims to improve key services, will happen over three years.