Plaid Cymru’s Shadow Local Government Minister Dr. Dai Lloyd has called on Welsh Local Authorities to work together in order to make efficiency savings.

He has also called on Welsh Assembly Government Minister Sue Essex to play an integral role in the process by working with Local Government Leaders and Trade Unions in publishing a Wales-wide document on how and which local authorities would work together to provide particular services.

Dr. Lloyd’s plea comes following a report by the Audit Commission ‘The Efficiency Challenge’ which shows that sharing services would enable English Authorities to make significant financial savings.

Dr. Lloyd today stated:

“The Audit Commission report looked at 30 English Local Authorities and showed that there are significant financial savings to be made by local authorities working together. I am certain that similar savings could be achieved on behalf of the Welsh taxpayer by the Welsh Assembly Government taking a lead on the issue and working with Local Authority Leaders and the Trade Unions.

“Savings can be achieved in a number of ways, be it simply combining payment collections for example through to working together on major strategic projects.

“A key issue facing local authorities in Wales at the moment is the procurement of waste management facilities – this is a perfect example of where I feel that local authorities should be working together. At the moment we have 22 unitary authorities working in isolation in so many areas leading to a duplication of work and wasting valuable resources in the process.

“Neighbouring Local Authorities could be doing a lot more partnership-working than is currently taking place. This is not to say that there is no joint-working going on at present, but it is unfortunately on a very ad-hoc basis. There is no overall strategy and that is the problem.”

Dr. Lloyd added:

“What we need is a strategic vision from the Welsh Assembly Government across the range of Local Government service areas outlining where and how savings could be made. This would ensure a better deal for the Welsh Council taxpayer. At the moment Local Government in Wales is directionless on a number of key issues.”

Diwedd/Ends

Notes

The ‘efficiency challenge’ is available from www.audit-commission.gov.uk.