Welsh Government “dictators” slammed for forced ‘corporate joint committees’ plans

Ministers have been described as “dictators” for pressing on with proposals for another regional layer of government, referred to by councillors on Anglesey as “back door reorganisation”.

The Welsh Government is pressing ahead with plans to create four regional bodies with powers to decide on where to build new housing developments and invest in transport across the respective areas.

The four corporate joint committees (CJCs) would be created in the south-east, south-west, north and mid Wales, while sitting on the committees would be the leaders of every contained council.

But the indirectly elected layer of government would sit above all six northern authorities as well as the Snowdonia National Park.

Having already been condemned by several other authorities, Anglesey used Tuesday’s full council meeting to launch another strong attack.

With the island council having already avoided several efforts to forcibly merge with Gwynedd, and possibly Conwy, most members have been consistent in their determination that Môn should retain its autonomy.

Cllr Aled Morris Jones, a Liberal Democrat who sits with the Annibynnwyr Môn  opposition group, said: “Devolution was supposed to bring power closer to the people but we’re seeing the creation of sub-regional bodies that will steal funding from local government.

“Its accepted that the North Wales Economic Ambition Board has worked but now we’re seeing the Welsh Labour Government carry out this power grab for themselves.

“These bodies are totally undemocratic.”

Cllr Bryan Owen added: “This is back door reorganisation and it’ll be a mess as has happened with the health boards.

“The Welsh Government, as we know, are experts at gerrymandering but it isn’t acceptable at all as far as I’m concerned.”

Cllr Ken Hughes, meanwhile, urged the council to “make a stand against the dictators,” with opposition to the plans also expressed by Labour group leader, Cllr John Arwel Roberts.

The council leader shared concern over the plans, noting she had expressed her dissatisfaction on several occasions with the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA).

Cllr Llinos Medi went on to say that her biggest concern was the “mandation,” while acknowledging that the six authorities had worked well together when putting together the North Wales Growth Bid.

“Let the authorities themselves decide if there’s room to work in certain fields and then look at the model, not forcing us in this way,” she concluded.

According to the Welsh Government, the establishment of CJCs will ensure local authorities will be able to do even more in their regions to lead the way in transport planning, land use planning and economic development.

Describing the plans, a spokesperson added: “They offer a consistent approach to strategic planning and delivery at scale, where it makes sense to do so.

“A CJC will not be the only vehicle for local government collaboration, but will provide local authorities with a powerful new tool where appropriate.

“The proposals build on existing successful regional arrangements, such as the North Wales Economic Ambition Board.

“Local Authority Leaders will be CJC members, putting accountability and local leadership at the heart of the decision making process.”

By Gareth Williams – Local Democracy Reporter