Local Assembly Member Paul Davies has expressed his frustration at the Welsh Government’s plans to reconsider merging Pembrokeshire with Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion under a ‘Dyfed’ model of local governance. The Welsh Government has issued a green paper outlining its proposals which could see the number of councils across Wales scaled down from 22 to 10.

He said, “I’m extremely disappointed that once again the Welsh Government is looking at centralising local authorities across Wales, particularly given that Pembrokeshire councillors of all parties have previously made it clear that they are against a merger with Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion. Any proposals to reform local government in Wales must be cost-effective and carry the will of the people that it represents and we’re still yet to see any evidence that the Welsh Government’s plans meet this criteria. Let’s not forget Pembrokeshire has an international reputation that has been established in its own right – and that local brand and identity must be protected.”