Deadline for merger bids is delayed

摘要

The Welsh public services minister has pushed back the deadline for responding to the merger bids submitted by councils last month, as some of them announce plans for a combined authority. In a written statement to the Welsh Parliament, Leighton Andrews said he will not be able to respond formally to the six councils who submitted expressions of interest by 5 January, as previously thought, but will instead make a further statement in the New Year. Only six councils submitted bids to the Welsh Government before last month's deadline. 'The Welsh Government has begun the process of reviewing the expressions of interest received, but there are many detailed questions which require further clarification from local authorities before we are able to conclude our consideration,' said Mr Andrews.