Llywydd, I'll begin by agreeing with what the Member said about the tireless commitment of staff in local authorities right across Wales during the pandemic, and, indeed, of the leadership of those councils. Throughout the pandemic, we will have met leaders of local authorities in Wales at least weekly, sometimes daily, in order to make the very challenging decisions that were there for us to make in order to keep all parts of Wales safe. I think that local authorities have demonstrated the significance of the part that they play in those local communities.

I don't agree with what Mr Rowlands said about the need for regional working between local authorities, and, indeed, I've often thought that the way that the six local authorities across north Wales come together in the north Wales growth deal, and in other aspects, is a bit of a model for the rest of Wales as to how local authorities can operate on a regional footprint, and therefore enhance the services that can be provided to local residents. And the legislation that was passed by this Senedd during its last term, I think, will underpin the efforts of those councils who look to make sure that by pooling their resources, sharing the solutions that they can develop, that they will all benefit as a result.

It is an irony, Llywydd, isn't it, that earlier in the afternoon a proposal that the Welsh Government would bring forward to offer more powers and more choices for local authorities is being opposed by the leader of the Conservative party, while I'm urged by other members of his party to do exactly that?