THERE has been a great deal of focus on the prospect of the Vale of Glamorgan merging with either Cardiff or Bridgend in recent weeks and while this is important, it does miss a wider point which has gone under the radar in recent months.

Paul Williams’ proposals are about re-shaping local government but no one seems to be asking the right questions. In fact you could say that the Welsh Labour Government has put the cart well before the horse.

Surely it would be more sensible to take a fundamental look at the role of councils, including community and town councils, before discussing potential mergers. To date, no one has outlined what services will be delivered under the new structure or indeed what role, if any, will be played by Penarth town and community councillors.

I think that everyone, not least residents themselves, will appreciate efforts to reduce the cost of politics – and I’m sure fewer politicians would be a bonus too - however, this is also an opportunity to speak to Penarth residents about the services they expect their local council to deliver.

On the question of mergers, clearly things are moving very quickly with the Labour-led council having undertaken a late u-turn in proposing to hold discussions with Bridgend about a voluntary merger.

Earlier this year, the council leader, Neil Moore, described Williams’ proposals as a “slaughter of local government which is not necessary”. His party backed a Conservative-led motion in Full Council opposing a merger, on the grounds that the interests of the Vale of Glamorgan and towns like Barry and Penarth would be better served under the present arrangement. I have sympathy for this view, especially as the Vale already works effectively with neighbouring authorities in delivering certain services.

You can only explain Mr Moore’s dramatic turnaround by remembering that the Welsh Government has issued a thinly veiled threat to councils of harsh financial penalties if they do not merge voluntarily. Sadly, money talks and I do not believe that this is the way to conduct a thorough reorganisation of councils.

Putting aside, for a second, the fact that Conservatives in the Vale oppose a merger – the Vale clearly has the potential to be a successful standalone authority – as a regional Assembly Member I have to represent the interests of residents throughout South Wales Central. To that end, it is my view that these plans are being bullied through by the Welsh Labour Government with little consideration to the views of residents who could later face higher council tax bills.

With Barry, Penarth and Dinas Powys having strong town councils and with many communities throughout the Vale having parish councils there is a real debate over whether they could play a more active role, such as in local planning or road maintenance for example. Alternatively, there is of course a question as to whether these councils have any role to play at all under the new arrangements.

I would welcome the views of local residents on this issue. Ultimately, it makes little sense to commit to a wholesale reform of local government in Wales without first resolving the fundamental question of what services we want councils to provide to local ratepayers.