GRAHAM: CAUTIOUS WELCOME FOR EMPHASIS ON COLLABORATION IN MIXED BAG LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME  

13^th July 2011 

Speaking in response to today’s announcement of the Welsh Government’s Legislative Programme for the Fourth Assembly, William Graham AM said: 

“I agree with the First Minister that the next four years must see a dramatic improvement in the delivery of public services and boost the private sector. I also welcome the proposals for Local Government and agree that Councils must focus on collaboration and partnership with the third sector to a greater degree than in the past.” 

The Shadow Minister for Local Government continued: 

“The Legislative programme announced today was a mixed bag with no proposals to encourage the job creation that South Wales East badly needs.  However, the Assembly Government appears to have heeded the proposals made in the Welsh Conservatives manifesto for the 2011 Assembly elections that promised more responsibility for Local Authorities and incentivised collaboration.  The Conservative-led Councils at Monmouthshire and Newport have shown the way forward for Local Authorities in Wales, investing prudently in public services and showing a willingness to work with neighbouring councils on schemes such as Project Gwyrdd and vital collaboration on secondary school capital projects. With limited funds Welsh Councils’ emphasis must be firmly on service delivery and the silo mentality of some authorities must end.” 

ENDS