9. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on local government reform in west Wales? OAQ52113

I set out our vision for strengthening local government in an oral statement on 20 March, in the Green Paper published for consultation, and during the debate on 25 April.

Cabinet Secretary, you will know full well that I'm against merging Pembrokeshire back into an old Dyfed model, given that I believe it will take the 'local' away from local government. I listened very carefully to your earlier answers on this matter, and as part of your Government's consultation plans, I do sincerely hope that you are engaging with councillors, not just local authority leaders, given the enormous impact your proposals would have on their communities. Can you therefore provide an update on the specific discussions you have had with councillors affected by the west Wales proposals? And what further engagement are you planning to ensure that, as a Government, you are truly talking to the people that will be affected by these proposals?

I'm very happy to provide all Members with a review, if you like, or an analysis of all our engagement during this process, when this process is complete. I'm very happy to provide Members with that information, but I will go further than perhaps the Member asking the question. I believe this is a matter for us as a country, as a people, and as communities. I do not believe that it is simply a matter for either council leaders or councillors. I believe it's a matter for all of us as a community, in order to have these conversations and to have a debate about how we want to see our services structured and taken forward. So, yes, we will be talking to councillors as well as council leaders, but we will also be talking to people throughout the community across the whole of our country.

Thank you, Cabinet Secretary.