The Welsh Government is seeking views on proposed changes to Local Government (LG), in a consultation closing on 1 October.
The Welsh Government writes:
In his newly appointed role as Minister for Public Services, Leighton Andrews AM has issued a reminder that a consultation paper setting out the Welsh Government’s ambitions for the future of local government in Wales will close in two weeks.
The former Local Government Minister, Lesley Griffiths AM published the White Paper, Reforming Local Government in July, following a statement by the First Minister on the wider programme of public service reform in Wales.
The consultation, which gives clarity on the preferred option for future local authority mergers, invites all interested parties to make known their views. It will close on Wednesday 1 October.
Minister for Public Services, Leighton Andrews said: ‘Reforming Local Government set out the Welsh Government’s ambitions for local government in Wales – local authorities responsive to local communities, focussed on high quality performance and service delivery.
‘We are seeking views from local authorities, the wider public sector and the public about how, working together, we can reform local government.’
Local authorities who wish to end uncertainty for their staff and the wider public will be urgently considering how best they can come together with neighbouring authorities to deliver services on a more strategic basis. The status quo is not an option.
‘Over the past ten weeks, this subject has been hotly debated. We need all interested parties to make sure their views are heard and I encourage anyone with a considered opinion on this matter to formally contribute to the consultation.
‘Whilst no one should doubt the value the Welsh Government and the people of Wales place on public services, we all agree change must happen.’
