Agenda item

Council received the report of the Chief Executive in relation to Local Government Reform and Reorganisation and was advised that the matter had been considered at a Special Meeting of Cabinet Scrutiny Committee and Cabinet held on 25^th November.

As a result of that meeting the report, including the recommendations contained therein, had been commended to Council for approval.

From today’s discussions it was agreed that more leadership was needed from the Welsh Government in this time of uncertainty.  It was noted that the anticipated date for a response from the Minister, to the proposals put forward, by the closing date of 28^th November 2014, was 5^th January 2015.

Concern was expressed at the timetable, which was felt to be too ambitious, particularly in light of the budgetary cuts and consequential capacity issues facing Local Authorities.

The Chief Executive gave Council an undertaking that, should the Minister support the proposal to pursue one of the merger proposals set out in the circulated report, a further report setting out the business plan and budgetary consequences would be submitted for Members’ consideration.

RESOLVED:         1.     That Council agrees to open discussions with               the City and County of Swansea (and others as necessary) regarding the establishment of a new local authority on a City Region basis, to be determined, and indicate to the Welsh Government immediately its willingness to do so on a joint basis with Swansea;

2.   Should Welsh Ministers exclude 1. above, then the Council pursue a merger with the City and County of Swansea alone;

3.   That either of the above options be subject to the production of a robust business case and clarity from the Welsh Government around the issues identified in the report, which officers would pursue on a joint basis with the City and County of Swansea;

   4.     That any business case be also subject to the final approval of Cabinet and Council.