New map detailing plans for fewer councils is revealed

BBC News

Plans to reduce the number of councils in Wales from 22 to eight or nine have been published by ministers.

The proposals would see a return to bigger councils, broadly along the lines of the pre-1996 arrangements.

The blueprint envisages the return of historic counties such as Dyfed and West Glamorgan.

In a written statement, Public Services Minister Leighton Andrews said there was a "compelling and widely accepted case" for fewer local authorities.

Dyfed would be brought back by re-merging Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion and West Glamorgan would return by joining Swansea once more with Neath Port Talbot.

Cardiff would merge with the Vale of Glamorgan, while a merger between Caerphilly, Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent, Newport and Monmouthshire would create Wales' biggest council, with a population of nearly 600,000.

Bridgend would join Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil.

The minister will consult further on whether to move to two or three councils in north Wales.

In the eight-council model, Ynys Mon, Gwynedd and Conwy would merge, as would Denbighshire, Wrexham and Flintshire.

The alternative would see Conwy and Denbighshire merging.

Mr Andrews has dropped plans to place "term-limits" on councillors, whereby an individual would only be able to serve for 25 years.

He is also proposing the current cap of 75 members per council is removed.

A consultation will now take place on what the cap should be.

In the written statement, Mr Andrews added: "I want to emphasise this is not a final decision. It is the next phase in discussions."

A draft bill will be published in the autumn but no changes will be made before next spring's assembly election.

Mr Andrews will make a statement to AMs in the Senedd later.

PROPOSED EIGHT NEW COUNCILS

• Gwynedd, Ynys Mon, Conwy*
• Flintshire, Wrexham, Denbighshire*
• Powys
• Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion
• Swansea, Neath Port Talbot
• Bridgend, RCT, Merthyr Tydfil
• Cardiff, Vale of Glamorgan
• Caerphilly, Blaenau Gwent, Newport, Monmouthshire, Torfaen

* There could be further consultation on merging Conwy and Denbighshire to create an additional council in north Wales.

ANALYSIS BY VAUGHAN RODERICK

The third shake up in Welsh local government in 40 years would see the return of some familiar borders and names, the new all-purpose authorities roughly matching the eight counties which formed the upper tier of Welsh councils until 1996.

While some will welcome the return of historic names like Gwent and Dyfed - others would mourn the passing of the equally historic names like Pembrokeshire and Monmouthshire.

While sentiment may fire opposition to the changes in some areas, other will claim that the new authorities could prove remote and that any change would be a distraction at a time when local government is under severe financial pressure.

Meanwhile the issue is likely to figure heavily in next year's assembly election, with all three opposition parties opposing the government's map.

THE CHANGING FACE OF WALES