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Council reforms latest: Are we looking at a return to Dyfed?

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mapWALES moved a step closer to a massive Local Government reform today, following an announcement by Leighton Andrews.

Mr Andrews was responding to the results of the consultation on the Reforming Local Government White Paper published in February.  Over 700 responses were received, while more than 3,000 people took part in the opinion poll.

The major announcement concerned the shift from 22 local authorities down to eight or nine – two potential maps have been put forward.  Under both of the proposed maps, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, and Pembrokeshire would amalgamate in a reformation of Dyfed.  

As a result of these changes, the existing cap of 75 elected members per local authority would be replaced by a higher cap, to avoid elected members serving an unfeasibly large number of people.  It has not been stated what the future cap would be.

9 Local Authorities

  • Isle of Anglesey and Gwynedd
  • Conwy and Denbighshire
  • Flintshire and Wrexham
  • Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire
  • Swansea and Neath Port Talbot
  • Bridgend, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil
  • Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan
  • Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Torfaen, Monmouthshire and Newport
  • Powys

8 Local Authorities

  • Isle of Anglesey, Gwynedd and Conwy
  • Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham
  • Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire
  • Swansea and Neath Port Talbot
  • Bridgend, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil
  • Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan
  • Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Torfaen, Monmouthshire and Newport
  • Powys

Proposals made by the White Paper which received strong support in the consultation process included giving a general power of competence to Local Authorities, and the establishment of a Public Services Staff Commission.

However, the idea of limiting the period of time that elected officers can serve for, and allowing officers to stand for election in their own authorities both attracted a strong negative response, as did the proposal that community councils should pass a competency test by demonstrating a turnover of at least £200,000, thus creating a two-tier system.  As a result, Mr Andrews announced that he would be scrapping these proposals.

Mr Andrews emphasized that this was not a final decision, but the next phase in discussions.  A draft Mergers and Reform Bill will be published in the autumn, which will include further formal consultation on the proposals for Local Authority mergers, as well as a Regulatory Impact Assessment.

Pembrokeshire County Council Leader, Jamie Adams, said: “Seeing the maps for the first time this morning it is difficult to comment without some explanation of the rationale behind it. My position has always been: will the change improve the services we deliver to the public while at the same time reducing costs?

“If it doesn’t tick those two boxes, I think it is right to question the validity of this exercise.

“Apart from the obvious loss of local decision-making and accountability, I also have concerns about the real damage reorganisation could do to a very successful brand.

“I am referring to the Pembrokeshire name which is instantly recognisable to those living far outside our County and even beyond Wales.

“A large number of local businesses in tourism, agriculture, food and energy depend on, and identify strongly, with brand Pembrokeshire for their livelihood.

“I fear they will inevitably suffer if amalgamation goes ahead and in these trying times I believe it would be foolish to gamble with the health of our local economy.

“However I do welcome some of the measures that the Minister is apparently not pursuing having taken onboard the views of local government.

Preseli Pembrokeshire Assembly Member Paul Davies has criticised the Welsh Labour Government’s plans for local government in Wales, which could see the number of Welsh councils cut from twenty two to single figures. The plans also include a return to the old Dyfed model for people living in Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion.

Mr Davies said, “Bigger is not always better and the proposals brought forward by the Welsh Labour Government do not show any evidence that this new map would result in an improvement in the delivery of public services in Pembrokeshire. Any change in the structure of local government in Wales must be locally-led and representing the will of their local communities.”

He added, “There are huge concerns that communities across west Wales could lose their local identities. The Pembrokeshire brand is synonymous across the globe with tourism and food produce and we need to do everything we can to protect that, as it will be lost under these merger plans. Many people fought long and hard against the old Dyfed model and so we must not lose Pembrokeshire in the Welsh Government’s drive to centralisation across Wales. There is no evidence to show that these plans are wanted by the people of Pembrokeshire and I want to make it absolutely clear that I will continue fighting to protect our Pembrokeshire brand.”

More details will be published in this Friday’s Herald.

6 Comments

6 Comments

  1. tomos

    June 17, 2015 at 2:14 pm

    Jaimie, his predecessor and that Jones man have destroyed Pembrokeshire – something that a diverse group from the vikings to hitler couldn’t do !

  2. Sue

    June 17, 2015 at 7:03 pm

    I think Pembrokehsires name has been tarnished by Jamie and the others in PCC management – Jamie knows he will loose his job if we merge so no wonder he’s against it! He did nothing to help all the staff who lost money in Job Evaluation exercise in council, and this man claimed back dated expenses of 3 yrs when other staff can only claim 3 months. He earns how much exactly £40k+ and has his own office in county hall more than any other leader before him!

  3. kelvin thomas

    June 17, 2015 at 11:21 pm

    A” very successful brand”? Interesting concept! PCC not had the best record!

  4. Geoffrey Sizer

    June 22, 2015 at 9:49 am

    The ruling Labour group in Cardiff are about to alienate themselves in exactly the same way as what happened in Scotland. The people will never forgive them if we return to Dyfed which has already been proved as a failed exercise.

  5. tomos

    June 23, 2015 at 2:50 pm

    Geoffrey Sizer wrote:

    The ruling Labour group in Cardiff are about to alienate themselves in exactly the same way as what happened in Scotland. The people will never forgive them if we return to Dyfed which has already been proved as a failed exercise.

    LikeBtn.com [?]

    dyfed was working fine and then Pembs. councillors got their way, they messed up PCC good and proper

  6. emmalee bass

    October 9, 2025 at 2:19 am

    This should be a required read. Go live with wontumi tv sports live now today — live talk shows and events. works great on mobile and desktop. studio discussions, program schedule. Including today’s schedule, live now. HD streaming with low latency.

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Community

Community gathers to remember Corrina Baker

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Lanterns and balloons released in emotional acts of remembrance

FAMILY, friends and members of the local community came together to remember Corrina Baker at a series of moving events held across west Wales this week.

Corrina’s funeral took place on Monday (Dec 15), a month after her death, with a public service held at St Mary’s Church. Mourners lined the route as her coffin was carried on its final journey in an elegant horse-drawn carriage, before a private cremation later took place at Parc Gwyn crematorium in Narberth.

Later that evening, shortly after 6:00pm, friends and relatives gathered at the Quayside in Cardigan for the first of two acts of remembrance to celebrate her life. Lanterns were lit and released into the night sky above the town as some of Corrina’s favourite songs were played.

On Tuesday afternoon (Dec 16), a second tribute was held near the location where Corrina was found. Twenty-one pink balloons — one for each year of her life — were released into a clear blue sky, each carrying personal messages in her memory.

Floral tributes continue to be laid at the Netpool, while a GoFundMe appeal set up in Corrina’s memory has raised more than £2,300. She has been described by those who knew her as “funny and bright”.

Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ms Baker’s death is ongoing. A 29-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been released on bail while inquiries continue.

(Photos: Stuart Ladd/Herald)

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Community

Six untaxed vehicles seized in Milford Haven police operation

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SIX untaxed and abandoned vehicles were seized during a joint roads policing operation in Milford Haven on Tuesday morning.

Officers from the Milford Haven Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Team (NPPT) worked alongside the Pembrokeshire Roads Policing Team as part of targeted enforcement across the town.

In addition to the vehicle seizures, a number of traffic offence reports were issued to drivers during the operation.

Police said the action formed part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety and tackle vehicle-related offences in the Milford Haven area.

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Community

Candlelit carol service brings community together in Milford Haven

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ST KATHARINE and St Peter’s Church in Milford Haven hosted its annual Candlelit Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, bringing together members of the community for a traditional celebration of Christmas.

The service featured readings from the Mayor of Milford Haven, representatives of the Soroptimists, Milford Haven Amateur Operatic Society, the Headteacher and Head Prefects of Milford Haven School, Milford Haven Town Band, and NCI Wooltack Point.

Music for the evening was provided by organist Seimon Morris, Milford Haven Town Band and the Milford Haven Cluster Band, whose performances added to the atmosphere of the candlelit service.

The Friends of St Katharine and St Peter’s Church thanked all those involved and wished the community a happy Christmas.

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