Preseli Pembrokeshire Assembly Member Paul Davies has criticised the Welsh Labour Government’s plans for local government in Wales, which could see the number of Welsh councils cut from twenty two to single figures. The plans also include a return to the old Dyfed model for people living in Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion.
Mr Davies said, “Bigger is not always better and the proposals brought forward by the Welsh Labour Government do not show any evidence that this new map would result in an improvement in the delivery of public services in Pembrokeshire. Any change in the structure of local government in Wales must be locally-led and representing the will of their local communities.”
He added, “There are huge concerns that communities across west Wales could lose their local identities. The Pembrokeshire brand is synonymous across the globe with tourism and food produce and we need to do everything we can to protect that, as it will be lost under these merger plans. Many people fought long and hard against the old Dyfed model and so we must not lose Pembrokeshire in the Welsh Government’s drive to centralisation across Wales. There is no evidence to show that these plans are wanted by the people of Pembrokeshire and I want to make it absolutely clear that I will continue fighting to protect our Pembrokeshire brand.
