TWO council leaders from Gwent authorities which could merge if proposed local government reform goes ahead have offered differing views on the plans.

The possible shake-up, announced by the Welsh Government in March, could see the number of local authorities cut from 22 to 10.

The proposed mergers in south-east Wales would see an authority created from Blaenau Gwent, Monmouthshire and Torfaen, with Caerphilly and Newport forming another.

If the plan were to progress, it would see three councils led by different political groups – Conservatives in Monmouthshire, Independents in Blaenau Gwent and Labour in Torfaen – join together.

Cllr Peter Fox, Monmouthshire’s leader, said long-winded and pricey debates on reform proposed by ever-changing ministers was not helpful for local government.

While Cllr Anthony Hunt, Torfaen’s leader, said budget cuts linked to austerity posed a threat to local services, rather than an authority’s size or structure.

Portskewett's Cllr Fox said: “I have said many times, and to the Welsh Government directly, that I do not believe simplistic mergers are the way forward for local government in Wales.

“The conversation is a distraction and raises anxiety for the many thousands of local government staff and for communities alike.

“I believe in retaining a local identity, local sovereignty and local accountability.

“Councils are already making efficiencies, building resilience and capacity by collaborating on regional and sub-regional footprints as can be evidenced in the Cardiff Capital Region.

“Each year, we seem to have a new plan proposed by different ministers, each with a new set of ideas.  These debates are time-consuming and costly.

“We just want to get on with what we do well – delivering high quality and valued services to the communities we serve.”

Cllr Hunt, the Panteg member, said: “I look forward to continuing the discussion on the future of local services with the Welsh Government.

“Torfaen has always engaged fully on this issue and we’ll continue to do so in a positive and constructive manner.

“However, we must be clear that it is budget cuts, thanks to austerity, which threatens the sustainability of local services, not the size of councils or the structure they operate under.

“Despite having our funding cut significantly and repeatedly over recent years, we have worked effectively with Welsh Government to protect vital services like schools and social care and to massively increase the proportion of waste recycled.

“We have also made great strides on regional working between councils, such as the City Deal, or the growing number of shared services we deliver with neighbouring councils.

“We should not close off that avenue to reform, as I believe it will be of great benefit to local services.”

A spokeswoman for Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council said: “As a council we are still considering our response to the consultation.

“The Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) executive will discuss the response from local government as a whole this week and there will also be discussions with council leaders in Gwent at the inaugural G9 Summit.

“Following this we will finalise a Blaenau Gwent response.”

The Welsh Government was contacted for comment and the consultation closes on Tuesday, June 12.