Group 12: Restructuring local authorities (Amendments 138, 139, 140, 39, 141, 71, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 73, 78)

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 8:18 pm on 10 November 2020.

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Photo of Mark Isherwood Mark Isherwood Conservative 8:18, 10 November 2020

Very briefly, just in terms of the comments made by the Minister about our amendments. The purpose of these amendments is not to prevent Welsh Government intervention when a local authority is unsustainable or not sustainable—quite the opposite; we would encourage more of that when a council needs intervention and support, not as a big stick, but as an opportunity to address issues to mutual benefit again. This is purely about ensuring that Welsh Ministers cannot simply intervene to restructure principal areas without the support and involvement of the councils in question in a transparent and democratic manner. I think we're conflating two separate issues. That is not our intention. Our intention, as I've stated, is to drive the localism agenda in the spirit of transparency and partnership.