Thank you, Llywydd. I move amendments 1 and 2 in the name of Rhun ap Iorwerth. I’d like to thank the Conservatives for tabling a motion that does recognise the importance of local authorities and, in that regard, how local democracy contributes towards public services that are of a high quality.

Just a few words on some elements of the original motion—point 3 refers to acknowledging the important role played by small businesses in driving the Welsh economy’ and how close collaboration between business and local authorities can lead to innovation and economic growth on a local level. In Gwynedd, for example, the partnership between the council and Hwb Caernarfon and the Bangor business improvement district is an excellent example of how collaboration between local authorities and the local business sector has brought more investment and new services into those areas for the benefit of the business community and the wider community. The council also assists small, local companies to collaborate in terms of public procurement contracts and encourages events such as meet-the-buyer events for local companies. Amendment 1:

Notes the importance of sharing best practice across local authorities in Wales’.

There are a number of examples of that in Carmarthenshire, Gwynedd and Ceredigion, as well as elsewhere in Wales.

But I would like to use my contribution this afternoon to specifically refer to amendment 2. Point 2 of the original motion:

Notes that strong and effective local government should see power put back into the hands of local people and their communities.’

I would agree entirely. One obvious way of doing that is to introduce a fairer electoral system, which makes councils more accountable and more representative of the communities that they serve. In the local elections of 2012, only 39 per cent of people voted. In the Assembly election in May, the figure was only 45 per cent, and that was the highest rate since 1999. There are a number of reasons for this, clearly, but one of them, certainly, is the fact that many people refuse to vote because they feel that their votes don’t matter. Under the current system, parties who finish third can go on to win the majority of seats.