Proposals to revamp the way local authorities work have been welcomed by Caerphilly County Borough Council’s party leaders.
In a White Paper launched by the Welsh Government’s Local Government Secretary, Mark Drakeford, councils would be able to choose their own voting system, and must work together to deliver a range of services.
Initial plans to reduce the number of councils in Wales from 22 to eight were dropped in May last year following the Assembly elections, but councils will now be required to deliver joint services – including education, transport, and certain planning functions – as part of mandatory regional bodies.
The plans are the result of months of discussions between the Welsh Government and local authorities, and are out for consultation until early April.
Professor Drakeford said: “This White Paper is not about change for change’s sake. Our councils are working against a backdrop of extraordinary austerity and some services are facing a great deal of pressure.”
As part of the proposals, the voting age could be reduced to 16, and councils allowed to choose between ‘first past the post’ or ‘single transferable vote’ election systems.
Single transferable vote is already used in local elections in Northern Ireland and Scotland, with voters putting numbers next to candidates in order of preference.
Leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council, Cllr Keith Reynolds, said: “It’s fair to say I’m very encouraged by the approach of Mr Drakeford to local authority reform, unlike his predecessor Leighton Andrews.
“It’s an approach of working together and coming to the conclusion of a sustainable future for local government. Where those councils wish to merge with one another, they will be supported by the Welsh Government.”
The council is set to meet over the proposals on Wednesday February 15. It has previously stated its opposition to any form of merger with another council.
Cllr Colin Mann, leader of the Plaid Cymru group on the council, said: “I’m pleased the secretary ditched the deeply unpopular and flawed plans to force a reduction in the number of Welsh local authorities, which would have been bad for people in Caerphilly borough.
“At the same time, there are many aspects of these proposals which are very similar to those of the previous minister but presented in a more user-friendly way. Another worry is that it is less likely there will be meaningful consultation in the run-up to the local elections in May.
“I support a reduction of the voting age to 16. The earlier we can involve people in the democratic processes the better.
“Plaid Cymru supports the single transferable vote for elections in place of first past the post system. It puts more power in the hands of voters and helps reduce the feeling many people have that their vote has been wasted.”
Darren Hughes, Acting Director of Electoral Reform Society Cymru, said: “This White Paper is a hugely encouraging sign, and shows that the Welsh Government is serious about empowering voters and revitalising democracy in Wales.
“A fairer voting system for local government would be a big step forward.
“We warmly welcome these proposals and will be responding to the consultation in full as it progresses.”
The consultation will close on Tuesday April 11, and can be viewed at consultations.gov.wales.
WG couldn’t organize a booze up in a brothel
No they couldn’t……it would be put out to tender, £££££££’s would be spent, many hours would be wasted, many months would pass, the contract will eventually be awarded to somebodies mate who was tapped up for it to start with who will then turn up at the wrong venue with a bottle of squash.
This will lead to a continued waste of resources and funding – only on a greater scale !