Welsh leaders criticise 11th hour amendment on council restructuring

The Welsh Local Government Association has criticised the Assembly Government for tabling a 17-page, “11th hour” amendment to the proposed Local Government Measure.

The WLGA said it supported the thrust and broad aims of the Measure but expressed “a significant measure of dissatisfaction” with the amendment, which it believes could see a forced merger of two to three local authorities.

In a Leader’s Update published earlier this month, the association said that whilst it had received assurances from the Assembly Government that the amendment would not provide the Local Government Minister with a way of undertaking a wholesale reorganisation of local government in Wales, it questioned why the amendment did not form part of the 18- month policy debate and evidence gathering sessions on the Measure.

The WLGA said: “It is concerning that legislation as fundamental as the future structure of authorities can be done without scrutiny and wider engagement or consultation.”

The association has also previously expressed concerns regarding a number of specific proposed powers and duties within the proposed Measure, “including the level of direction which would curtail local flexibility and concerns over the practicality and potential costs of implementation”.

It said it would continue to lobby over remote attendance, new statutory heads of democratic services, voting powers for co-optees, and ministerial powers to set council meeting times.

The Measure is due to complete its legislative passage by 22 March 2011.