VALE council wants to voluntary merge with Bridgend council instead of Cardiff.

The move was agreed this week after both cabinets met to discuss the proposals.

The merger is due to come about after the Welsh Government said it wants to reduce the number of local authorities by around half.

The proposals will now be debated at the full Vale Council meeting on December 17 while Bridgend will call an extra ordinary meeting of full council on November, 24.

The submission deadline date set by Public Services Minister Leighton Andrews is Friday, November 28.

Vale Cabinet member, Cllr Gwyn John, speaking at cabinet on Monday, said: “I think the move to Bridgend is the most common sense move for this administration.”

He condemned people airing views in the local press in favour of the Cardiff option, saying: “These are the people who sit on their backsides and have nothing to do except write about things they know nothing about.”

“We would have fewer representatives and a lower slice of the cake for the Vale of Glamorgan. We would pay for Cardiff’s misdemeanours. Go Bridgend or be railroaded into Cardiff. If the Vale merges with Cardiff I will leave the Vale of Glamorgan.”

Vale Council leader, Neil Moore added: “It’s a logical move to go with Bridgend. They have the same culture and agriculture. We actually work with them and already we have some good agreements. We are not doing this for political doctrine. I think it’s the right thing for the people of the Vale of Glamorgan.”

Rhoose councillor, Phil Clarke, the only Vale councillor to favour merging with Cardiff,said the cabinet recommendation to “ensure that arrangements are put in place to safeguard the interests of the residents of the Vale of Glamorgan” should be amended.

He said: “They may as well put councillors and residents because that’s what it’s about. It’s all about the rice bowl, isn’t it?

“It is disappointing to hear of such anti-Cardiff rhetoric at this Vale Council cabinet meeting when their reasoning is being challenged instead of calm logical response when key strategic decisions are being considered.

“The reasons given to favour a merger with Bridgend as opposed to Cardiff could be masked by the fact that there would be a much greater number of Vale councillors post Bridgend than a Cardiff merger - hence in their long term financial interest and probability of re-election.

“Perhaps it’s time for a referendum, as this decision will affect us long term.”

The report to cabinet said a merger with Bridgend would be beneficial because both areas were a similar size leading to an equal distribution of resources and influence.

The adoption of best practices, not so distant with its citizens, similar population densities and coastline and similar housing, transport and retail needs, were also cited.

In Bridgend, Council Leader Mel Nott said there were very sensible reasons for exploring a voluntary merger with the Vale.

He said: “We are already developing partnerships with the Vale for CCTV and regulatory services, and such a merger would allow the county borough to contribute to and benefit economically from the development of the Cardiff Capital City Region, maintain momentum in educational improvement and ensure a geographical alignment with the majority of other public services in the area.”