Former Council Leader suggests Conwy should leave WLGA to save money
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A former leader has told his colleagues their council should ditch its membership of a local authority “union” and save more than £86,000 in annual subscriptions.
Cllr Ronnie Hughes, a former leader of Conwy council, was speaking at a finance scrutiny committee called to discuss the forthcoming year’s budgets.
Discussing the budget, he lambasted the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA), which is effectively the union for local authorities and lobbies Welsh Government on their behalf.
He claimed the organisation had not managed to help the county secure better funding from Welsh Government and pushed for a motion saying the county would withdraw its membership.
He said: “I’ve given this a lot of thought, and I know it’s going to cause ructions, but I believe this finance scrutiny committee today should give notice that we are leaving the WLGA.”
However, Kinmel Bay representative Cllr Nigel Smith, who is one of the county’s representatives on the WLGA, claimed it cost the council £80,000 each year to be a member.
He said: “I think we are better off in (the WLGA) at the moment.”
The WLGA confirmed that the current subscription fee is £86,848.00 per annum.
Cllr Hughes added: “I think it’s time we came out in protest at this authority being treated badly.
“Everyone says about the talks with Welsh Government, that they have been done, but what have they delivered? Not a sausage, not a sausage.”
Mr Davies said that, rather than passing a resolution in the meeting, he offered to complete a report to give to members so they were aware of the role the WLGA played.
He said: “I wouldn’t want a recommendation made without the ins and outs known. This would be a signficant decision for the council to make.”
The council would need to give a 12-month notice period to leave the association.
Addressing Mr Davies, Cllr Hughes said: “I suggest when you’re on the phone to them today you tell them we are in the process.”
Speaking after the meeting, he said: “I hope they’ve got the bottle to carry it through. We’ve got to be serious about it. The WLGA has been negotiating and where has that got us?”
A WLGA spokesperson said: “The Association works on behalf of local authorities in influencing Welsh Government policy and legislation, and provides a range of nationally coordinated improvement services to authorities.
“This year has seen the best local government settlement in over a decade and, in negotiating with the Welsh Government, the WLGA has consistently argued for more funding for local public services.
“The association has also made the case and pressed for a funding floor for Conwy and other authorities who still face inflationary and growing demand pressures.
“Conwy County Borough Council is an active and valued member of the association and we are aware of the recent discussion at the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
“We will consider the issues raised at the committee meeting and will be providing information to the authority to inform their work.”
By Jez Hemming – Local Democracy Reporter
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