THE VALE of Glamorgan council has approved an expression of interest in voluntarily merging with Bridgend Council.

Vale Council Leader Neil Moore said that since it was clear the mergers would be going ahead "with or without us", it made sense for the Vale to link up with Bridgend at this early stage to "safeguard the interests of our residents".

Since January, when the Williams Commission recommended the 22 councils in Wales be cut to as few as 10, councils have been investigating the prospect of merging with neighbouring authorities.

A deadline was set up last week by Public Services Minister Leighton Andrews, whereby he asked councils to submit proposals for voluntary mergers - rather than having mergers forced on them in the near future.

Although the Vale had initially been prospectively paired with Cardiff City Council, and Bridgend with Neath Port Talbot, both councils have stated that they would rather merge together.

Now, following approval by cabinet, the expression of interest has been submitted to Welsh Government for its consideration.

Cllr Neil Moore said: “A voluntary merger allows us to be at the forefront of a radical change to the landscape of the public sector in Wales, and by doing so ensure that the needs of our residents are put first.

“Bridgend represents the best fit for the Vale and is our natural partner. We already have close links with our neighbours to the west and work together successfully to deliver services.

“A merger of the Vale of Glamorgan and Bridgend would be one of equal partners, and one that was in line with the footprint of the majority of key public services in the area. There are clear advantages in terms of services such as education, the economy, planning, housing and community safety.

"A merged authority would not only bring benefits to this region. It would also enable the area to contribute effectively to the new Cardiff City Region.

“Welsh Government has made it abundantly clear that it is going ahead with mergers ‘with us or without us’.

"If the Vale will not be permitted to stand alone then we must take action to safeguard the interests of our residents.”

The expression of interest will also be submitted to a meeting of full council for ratification on Wednesday, December 17.

Work across the two authorities will now begin to develop a detailed business case for a combined authority. This will be submitted in the summer of 2015, provided ministers approve the initial expression of interest in January.

So far, six Welsh councils have agreed to work together, The Vale of Glamorgan and Bridgend, Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen and Conwy and Denbighshire.