If the proposal goes ahead, it would establish Bridgend Council in the south East Wales regional footprint for healthcare provision and social services.
If the proposal goes ahead, it would establish Bridgend Council in the south East Wales regional footprint for healthcare provision and social services, complementing existing economic and education partnerships.
Speaking about the proposals, Health Secretary Vaughan Gething said:
“We have been in discussion with the leadership of Bridgend Council, Abertawe Bro Morgannwg and Cwm Taf University Health Boards about these proposals and recognise the valuable work undertaken by dedicated public service staff in the health boards and the local authority.
“The Health Boards and Bridgend Council have indicated that certainty about the intention to change the boundary is in the best interests of the public and staff and are committed to engaging effectively with the public, trade unions and staff during the consultation period and beyond.
“Significant work has been undertaken to determine the most effective way to provide emergency and hospital-based services across health boards in South Wales. Any change to the Bridgend Council boundary as a result of this consultation will not affect those decisions.
Local Government Secretary Alun Davies said:
“The purpose of the proposed change is to ensure more effective partnership working and decision-making across South Wales within the broader ambitions for local government reform.
“Most authorities in Wales already work in partnerships with the same authorities across economic activity, health services and other local authority functions. If implemented the boundary change would mean that Bridgend Council’s partnership arrangements will be broadly comparable with all other local authority partnership arrangements in Wales.
“I am grateful to the leaders of Bridgend Council, Abertawe Bro Morgannwg and Cwm Taf UHBs for their support and engagement in developing the consultation proposal.
“We will continue to work closely with our partners to ensure all aspects of the proposal are properly and openly explored.”
Bridgend Council works with local authorities in south east Wales in driving economic activity, but currently they must work with local authorities in south west Wales within the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg UHB area for healthcare services.
If implemented, the proposed change would ensure that Bridgend Council was not disadvantaged by working across two different strategic areas.