28 Politics


THE HERALD FRIDAY FEBRUARY 3 2017


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Reforms challenge local democracy Davies calls on First Minister to apologise


the post’ or ‘single transferable vote’ election systems. Following passage of the Wales Bill, further conversation will take place on a wider set of measures to reform electoral arrangements in Wales to improve both voter registration and turn out at elections. In line with the new proposals,


the Cabinet Secretary also announced that he would be considering how the wider local government finance system could be reformed – ensuring a fairer and more sustainable system to support local authorities in the future. Setting out the proposals for


how councils will deliver some of their services together will be unveiled this week by Local Government Secretary Mark Drakeford. The White Paper, which is out for


consultation until the beginning of April, is the result of months of discussions between the Welsh Government, local authorities and others on how to strengthen council services in the face of future challenges. 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. Amongst the proposals are a


mandatory economic development footprint that would also cover certain planning functions and transport. Councils would have some


additional learning needs, public protection and promotion of the Welsh language. Councillors would make up the


membership of new, enhanced joint committees which would oversee these services and make decisions on behalf of their respective councils. Funding


social services,


flexibility over what footprint they use to share responsibilities for other mandated services including education improvement,


A WHITE PAPER setting out


arrangements would work on the existing practice of pooled budgets. The local government workforce is


an essential part of these proposals and the Welsh Government will consider, through the Workforce Partnership Council, how to support the transition over to the new arrangements, using statutory guidance where necessary. Councils would still have the


extended interview with Huw Edwards for the Wales Report, as well as repeated comments made during plenary sessions in the National Assembly. During an interview with Huw


Edwards for the Wales Report on Wednesday, January 25, the First Minister stated: “At no time has he [Andrew RT Davies] said he wants to be part of a process to work out what the journey should be for Wales.” Mr Davies’ letter strongly refutes


consultation, the Local Government Secretary said: “This White Paper is not about change for change’s sake. 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. “The new regional arrangements


option of merging under the new plans and, where there is local agreement for this, the Welsh Government would work with them to make it a reality. The White Paper also calls for a


will bring councils together to work more effectively in the interests of people and their communities. “We want to see a new relationship


different and more equal partnership between people and the public services they use. This would see the development of a new set of principles recognising people as the best experts in how to manage their own lives and putting in place small interventions earlier to resolve issues before they escalate further. The proposals strike a new balance


between clear and unavoidable objectives for local government with flexibility for councils to determine how those shared objectives are best delivered locally. Thus the White Paper proposals provide councils with powers to choose between operating a Cabinet or Committee system and to decide how the activities of councillors are best reported to the electorate. Similarly, views are invited on enabling local authorities to adopt either ‘first past


between councils and their communities where public services support people to live independent lives and intervene only when necessary and only for as long as is required. “We also want a new relationship


Andrew RT Davies: Seeking an apology from Carwyn Jones


THE LEADER of the Welsh


Conservatives, Andrew RT Davies, has written to Carwyn Jones this week following what a party spokesperson described as a ‘series of misleading public comments’ by the Welsh Labour Leader. The First Minister has repeatedly


misrepresented the Welsh Conservative Leader’s position on Brexit for political purposes, and Mr Davies has demanded a full apology. In the letter, Mr Davies refuted


between the Welsh Government and our councils; one that is based on mutual respect for the important, and different, roles we each play. “Underpinning all of these new


arrangements will be effective scrutiny and accountability, where councillors act as the champion, advocate and guide for people who elect them. “I want to thank local authority


repeated inaccurate comments by Carwyn Jones that the Welsh Conservatives have been unwilling to play a positive and constructive role in Wales’ Brexit strategy. He has also published evidence of


repeated offers of constructive support in shaping the post-Brexit landscape, all of which have been ignored. The letter makes reference to an


leaders and others for their help in forming a serious and credible set of proposals. I look forward to working alongside them further following the local government elections in May.” Economic development footprints


would be based on the WLGA regions of South-East Wales, North Wales and Central and South-West Wales. The shape of these regions fits with the economic development areas already in place; namely the Cardiff Capital and Swansea Bay city regions, the North Wales Economic Ambition Board and the Growing Mid Wales Partnership. Crucially, however, there is no


election to the quangos the Welsh Government has decided will direct local economies, with members of each being appointed by a variety of public and third sector bodies. Quite how those arrangements will advance and protect local democracy and accountability is a significant question, especially when considering the catalogue of disasters unleashed by similar arrangements in the past. In particular, there are concerns


the claims: “I regret that your inability to reflect the truth in a televised interview has forced me to formally write seeking an apology for your actions, which have distorted my position.” He has now published a copy of a


text exchange, initiated by Mr Davies the morning after the referendum, in which he explicitly offers to 'work with [the First Minister] to deal with the new landscape'. A spokesman for the Welsh Conservatives said: “Carwyn Jones’ refusal to engage across the political spectrum has been deeply regrettable. “Welsh Conservatives have been


steadfast in our commitment to playing a positive and constructive role in shaping the next steps for Wales. “Those offers date back to the


morning of the referendum result itself, and the First Minister’s recent comments have wilfully misled the public. “The Welsh Conservatives have


repeatedly been rebuffed in our attempts to forge a cross-party approach to Brexit and the First Minister must now apologise, in particular for comments made during his recent Huw Edwards interview.”


Plaid Leader: Prove UK is ‘partnership of equals’


Plaid Cymru. "The Secretary of State for Exiting


the EU was left in no doubt over the importance of single market participation. I also raised agricultural exports and subsidies, and the need for freedom of movement to avoid skills shortages. "Focus must shift now to the Joint


Ministerial Committee, whose agenda will naturally be dominated by the vote to leave the EU. "The Prime Minister would do wise


Wood has urged Prime Minister Theresa May to demonstrate that the UK is a 'partnership of equals', as her party has repeatedly claimed. Leanne Wood's call comes following


her meeting with the UK Secretary of State for Exiting the EU, David Davis, where she introduced her party's joint White Paper on the EU with the Welsh Government. The meeting also included the First


that key local authority functions, such as oversight of major local planning projects, will end up being determined - either directly or indirectly - by unelected regional boards made up of place-men and women, failed local government bureaucrats, and appointees made up of what – in Welsh political circles – amounts to ‘the usual suspects’. The consultation will close on


April 11 and is available to view on the Welsh Government’s website: consultations.gov.wales.


Minister and the Secretary of State for Wales, Mark Drakeford AM and Steffan Lewis AM. Ahead of the Joint Ministerial


Committee, the Party of Wales Leader said that the voices and views of each constituent part of the United Kingdom must be heeded and honoured during the negotiations to leave the EU, and that failure to do so would have 'major constitutional consequences'. Ms Wood said: "This morning, a


healthy exchange of views took place between representatives of the UK Government, Welsh Government and


PLAID CYMRU Leader Leanne


to grasp the potential impact of these negotiations on the future constitutional landscape of the United Kingdom. "Different views were expressed


in different parts of these islands during the referendum on June 23. If the UK is truly a partnership of equal nations then Theresa May will take heed of these differences and shape her negotiating strategy accordingly. "While Wales may have voted to


leave, no one voted to give the Tories a blank cheque to wreck the Welsh economy by dragging us out of the Single Market and jeopardising 200,000 jobs. "At the same time, the wishes of the


majority who voted in favour of Remain in Scotland and Northern Ireland must also be respected. "Last week, Plaid Cymru and the


Welsh Government united for the sake of the national interest to publish a set of comprehensive proposals designed to protect Wales as we prepare to leave the EU.


careful consideration to those proposals or risk confirming Wales' status as a second-class nation within the UK."


"I hope the Prime Minister gives


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