Welsh Government must end its “Kafkaesque” approach to local government reform

Welsh Conservatives are today calling on the Welsh Government to end its “Kafkaesque” treatment of local government and to bring forward detailed plans for its proposed reform.

The Welsh Labour Government’s previous plans for reform via a forced merger route were left in tatters having failed to achieve cross-party consensus on the issue.

Today’s calls come ahead of a Welsh Conservative plenary debate on Wednesday, which will highlight growing concern that the Labour government’s dithering over local government reform is having a negative impact on the effective delivery of public services.

Assembly Members will are also expected to make the case that more needs to be done to address voter apathy in Wales, which saw turnout for local government elections in 2012 plummet to a low of 38.9% – a 4% drop on the same elections in 2008.

The need for a change in the way that councils are funded will also be argued, given that the current main source of financing – the Local Government Settlement – often unfairly advantages urban areas over its rural equivalents.

Examples of best practice from England and Scotland will be cited, underscoring that shared services between councils and the NHS can be both efficient and tailored to local needs. This, members will argue, could present a realistic and pragmatic alternative to changing boundaries.

Speaking ahead of the debate, Welsh Conservative Shadow Spokesperson for Local Government, Janet Finch-Saunders AM, said:

“The Welsh Labour Government’s handling of local government reform has left councils and public service users in a Kafkaesque state of limbo.

“Any plans going forward must be declared as soon as possible with maximum transparency, and need to be done in consultation with all parties, key stakeholders and – above all – local communities.

“That the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government has confirmed he is now going back to the drawing board on this issue is a step in the right direction, but when exactly he intends to announce these plans remains unclear.

“Meanwhile, with so much uncertainty, concerns over future service provision, Council Tax rates and the very future of many of Wales’ proud counties continue unabated.

“Today’s debate offers Assembly Members a chance to put on the record some of these issues and collectively explore the alternatives to redrawing the boundaries of Wales’ local government map via a fresh and transparent approach.”