tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133809191630290599.post6646260578431503610..comments2023-08-19T16:44:23.150+01:00Comments on National Left: Local Government reorganisation may be a botched job.glynbeddauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09933352430631144936noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133809191630290599.post-81891444642390106172014-01-18T16:34:20.053+00:002014-01-18T16:34:20.053+00:00I think your proposed new councils look right, exc...I think your proposed new councils look right, except merging Swansea, Bridgend and NPT would create the largest LA in Wales with a population of well over half a million. I suspect they'll leave Swansea separate, which would bring the number of councils to 11.<br /><br />Merging local authorities and health boards is a great idea on paper (and it works in Scandinavia) but given the mess many councils have made of education you can understand why the government might be a bit reluctant. The reorganisation costs would also be huge. There was a proposal a few years ago to merge the county council and LHB in Powys, which would be an ideal test case, but this doesn't seem to have gone anywhere.<br /><br />I'd prefer a single Welsh fire and rescue service, but that might be a bit too imaginative for Carwyn. New all-Wales organisations might also smack a bit too much of nationalism for the twitchier members of the Labour party. Obviously, a single national Welsh police force is a decision for our colonial masters in Whitehall.Lyndonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02225999704347903995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133809191630290599.post-3601484418921325152014-01-18T13:33:37.861+00:002014-01-18T13:33:37.861+00:00I agree, and that we have excluded the police, the...I agree, and that we have excluded the police, the fire service, and the health boards from this review does somewhat fatally wound it. My own preferences for a two tier system is well known, as well as strengthening community councils.<br /><br />A golden opportunity has been missed with not combining the new authorities with the health authorities, social services and health are a natural match and the services should be seen as a continuum.Cibwrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07621705905770341542noreply@blogger.com