Wrexham Council Leader Says ‘Thanks For Listening’ Leighton

The Leader of Wrexham Council has welcomed the news that initial merger proposals by some Welsh councils have been rejected.

The Welsh Government Minister for Public Services Leighton Andrews said yesterday he was not persuaded that plans to merge Conwy and Denbighshire were ‘compelling’.

Conwy and Denbighshire Councils had voted in favour of exploring a merger , with Bridgend and the Vale of Glamorgan, and Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen also expressing similar merger interest.

Currently there are 22 Councils, with suggestions that it is preferred that number to be cut to between 10 or 12, with others suggesting as low as 6 to cover the whole of Wales.

Back in September Wrexham Councillors voted no to suggestions of a merger with Flintshire*, with it being described at the time as a ‘foolish leap of faith’ by Mr Pritchard.

Cllr Mark Pritchard, Leader of Wrexham Council, said yesterday in response to the announcement by the Minister: “I would like to thank the Minister, Leighton Andrews, for listening to us in Wrexham.

“I am pleased that common sense has prevailed. I believe now is the time to begin discussions on the way forward with local government in North Wales.”

On Monday Mr Andrews announced in a statement formal plans and preparatory work to enable the ‘reform’ at a local government level.

It is likely more clarity could be possible as early as next week with an expected white paper on council reorganisation being published.

As always there is another instalment of the debate over on the Wrexham.com Forums, with one Councillor posting there suggesting that new plans could be being drafted ‘cigarette paper’! click here to read and take part…!

(* We apologise for using the F word in this article.)