Issue - meetings

(a)       That the corporate response set out at Appendix A for submission to Welsh Government be adopted; and

(b)          That the collective response of the Welsh Local Government Association attached at Appendix B be supported.

The Chief Executive introduced a report to invite a Council response to the Welsh Government White Paper.

            He provided a detailed presentation, with the main features being as follows:

·         The future for Wales

·         The future for local government

·         The White Paper: critique

·         The White Paper: a response

·         Building a ‘vision’

·         A vision: our purpose and role

·         A vision: our value added

·         Financing the future

In referring to the response from the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA), the Leader of the Council indicated that it included representations from Flintshire County Council on the White Paper.  He concurred with the comments of the Chief Executive and felt that the White Paper included many ‘red herrings’.  He expressed significant concern that an opportunity to undertake discussions on localism had been missed but added that a vision that rewarded Councils that worked well and took on extra was appropriate.  The Leader spoke of decentralisation in England and commented on the need for a model to shape the local economy.  He hoped that the WLGA response provided assurance to Members and that the consultation would promote discussions on the areas of concern.  He added that the County Council response should be read in conjunction with the WLGA response and he asked Members to support the response.  

In supporting the comments of the Leader, Councillor Alex Aldridge referred to the arrogance of the language of devolution and expressed significant concern about the comments of Leighton Andrews, the Minister for Public Services which he felt were unacceptable.  He also said that no reasons had been given about why the voluntary mergers offered elsewhere in Wales had failed.  Dialogue had consistently been sought on the issue of change but requests had been rejected.  Councillor Paul Shotton commented on transition costs and queried how they would be funded. 

Councillor Robin Guest felt that an opportunity to discuss local government had been lost and that a review should commence with a blank sheet of paper not with a White Paper without proper debate and consultation.  He felt that there was a need to take the best approach for North Wales and  that discussions on the delivery of local services such as the interaction with health and emergency services should be undertaken.  Under the section on ‘Connecting with Communities’, Councillor Guest felt that the passporting of a proportion of business rates to local authorities and Town & Community Councils should be considered.  He added that it was difficult for Town & Communities to maintain towns as funding was only received from Council Tax not business rates.  On the theme of ‘Renewing Democracy’, Councillor Guest felt that it was appropriate that any reforms of local government should firstly look at the role of Councillors, then at the number of Councillors required and finally at the appropriate allowance. 

Councillor Tony Sharps agreed with the comments of the Chief Executive and the Leader of the Council.  He spoke of monies that had been spent by Welsh Government to benefit South Wales, and queried why it was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 127