TEN Welsh councils have agreed to work together to develop a combined authority that could make key decisions for the South East Wales region on economic development, transport and planning.

Seen as a significant development in how local government in Wales will operate in the future, the development of a combined authority means important strategic decisions can be made at a regional level. The ten councils will now look to discuss the proposal further with Welsh Government.

The idea comes after seeing city regions such as Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield successfully negotiate new funding relationships with central government, and council leaders in South East Wales believe a democratic combined authority will help them to work strategically together on improving the economic and social well-being of the South East Wales region as whole.

The proposal from the councils of South East Wales reflects the growing UK-wide debate on how greater powers should be devolved to cities, councils and local communities. On behalf of all council leaders in South East Wales, Cllr Bob Wellington, Leader of Torfaen and the Welsh Local Government Association said: “The debate on the form and function of local government is moving rapidly in Wales, and this agreement demonstrates how local councils are exploring innovative new ways of doing business that will offer communities a settled and lasting outcome that is fit for purpose now and into the future.

“Whatever the final shape and number of councils in Wales once Welsh Government merger plans come to fruition, the new councils will still need to work closely together to improve the effectiveness of public services. The development of a combined authority will not create a new or ‘extra’ organisation. It will create a clear decision making structure that will allow councils to deliver at a strategic regional level, while also ensuring local communities retain a strong role in shaping their sense of place and the services they receive.

“This is an important development and one we have been working towards for some time. It complements the work of the Cardiff Capital City Region Board, meets the aspirations of the Welsh Government and it will deliver on the shared commitment we all have as council leaders to deliver for the communities of South East Wales.

“There is much work left to do, and we look forward to discussing the proposal further with Welsh Government and our wider regional partners. If successful, the proposal will bring regional collaboration to previously un-reached levels, and will mark a significant evolution of local government’s role in Wales.”

The South East Wales Regional Partnership Board is made up of the Leaders of each of the regions ten constituent authorities supported by their Chief Executives. It is made up of representatives from Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Newport, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Torfaen and the Vale of Glamorgan Councils.

The Welsh Government Minister for Economy, Science and Transport has established a Cardiff Capital Region Board made up of business leaders, academics and council leaders.

The focus of the Cardiff Capital Region Board is on working with local authorities, the local business community and others to identify and prioritise transformative projects.

In England there are currently five Combined Authorities, with Greater Manchester Combined Authority established on 1st April 2011, and four others established in April 2014 with still more proposals being actively developed.