RENEWED Welsh Government plans to merge the Vale of Glamorgan with Cardiff have been announced.

A Green Paper consultation today (March 20) sets out proposals to explore the possibility of reducing the councils in Wales to as few as 10.

Vale council politicians expressed concern about a merger with Cardiff following the publication of the Williams Commission report in January 2014.

The plans were ultimately scrapped following the 2016 Assembly Election.

Announcing the proposals, local government secretary Alun Davies said: "We need councils whose membership is fully representative of the local community and which are relevant to everyone.

"Councils where elected members are recognised and rewarded for their commitment and for the crucial role they play in our democracy.

"I simply do not believe that this vision of powerful, robust and energised local government can be built without a serious debate about local government structures.

"Wales needs strong, effective, empowered local authorities which can weather continued austerity and build local democratic structures fit for future generations.

"Our local authorities need to be large enough to have the capacity and capability to develop and implement the bold new solutions demanded by the increasing challenges they face.

"Continuing as we are will simply see more missed opportunities to modernise, integrate and transform the way things are done.

"And this will be a tragedy for all of us who not only depend on our local services but who want to see stronger local government in the future."

A consultation has been launched on the proposal today.

The following councils are proposed to merge together:

  • Vale of Glamorgan and Cardiff
  • Bridgend, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil
  • Newport and Caerphilly
  • Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent and Monmouthshire
  • Anglesey and Gwynedd
  • Conwy and Denbighshire
  • Flintshire and Wrexham
  • Powys
  • Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire
  • Swansea and Neath Port Talbot