Councils in Wales have welcomed a new White Paper on local government reform which includes proposals to allow 16-year-olds to vote.
The Paper, unveiled yesterday by local government secretary, Mark Drakeford, is the result of months of discussion between the Welsh government, councils and other stakeholders.
It seeks views on proposals for mandatory regional working to deliver a range of services, address workforce issues, and implement electoral reform including allowing voting at 16.
It also calls on members of the public to become active participants in local democracy and in the design and delivery of services.
Among the specific proposals outlined by Mr Drakeford are a mandatory economic development footprint that would cover certain planning functions and transport.
Councillors would also make up the membership of new, enhanced joint committees which would oversee these services and make decisions on behalf of their respective councils.
Funding arrangements would work on the existing practice of pooled budgets, the Paper notes.
Mr Drakeford emphasised that the Welsh government would work with the local government workforce, through the Workforce Partnership Council, to support the transition over to the new arrangements.
Councils would still have the option of merging under the new plans.
‘This White Paper is not about change for change’s sake,’ said Mr Drakeford.
‘Our councils are working against a backdrop of extraordinary austerity and some services are facing a great deal of pressure.
‘Local government reform is essential if we’re to make these services stronger and more resilient to cope with the demands of the future.’
Commenting on the White Paper, WLGA Leader Cllr Bob Wellington said: ‘Local government has welcomed the cabinet secretary’s approach to engagement and his commitment to work with councils on a basis of mutual respect and trust.
‘The new White Paper builds on the constructive discussions that have occurred across local government since the autumn about Mark Drakeford’s proposals to continue local government’s progress around collaboration and regionalization.’
‘The details of the White Paper, particularly the specific services and proposed governance models outlined, now need to be considered fully by authorities in the run-up to the local elections,’ Cllr Wellington continued.
‘There will be some discussion also about the specific services included and the respective regions, in particular the place of Growing Mid Wales in a wider Central and South West region.’
Cllr Wellington said councils were supportive of a ‘more regional approach’ but were keen to ‘ensure safeguards to protect and promote clear local accountability and local democracy.’
To this end, the WLGA put forward three key principles of subsidiary to underpin any new regional arrangements.
These are: funding should continue to be distributed to the 22 councils, statutory duties should remain with the 22 councils and local accountability through local councillors is essential to ensure that the needs of local communities are being met and outcomes are being delivered.
