This petition was submitted by UNISON Wales, which collected 2,192 signatures.

Text of the Petition

​ ​We call on the National Assembly for Wales to urge the Welsh Government to:

a. To increase aggregate external financing (revenue) to local authorities to at least the levels that applied in 2013/14 in real terms

b. Introduce legislation that provides a ‘power of general competence’ for local authorities in Wales

c. Encourage local authorities to use their existing powers to provide goods and services to other parts of the public sector in Wales, and to explore and to trade by developing the range of goods and services that can be supplied to members of the public in general and to the private sector more generally

d. Work with local authorities in Wales to release existing revenue streams through, for example refinancing or replacing PFI schemes on more favourable terms utilising the opportunities afforded by historically low interest rates

e. Undertake, to support the work of the Independent Commission on Local Government Finance Wales.

We the undersigned value the services provided by local councils in Wales and believe that by implementing these measures the Welsh Government will help to prevent further damage to local public service provision; whilst recognising that these measures are only part of the solution and an end to the Westminster Government austerity programme will be necessary to ensure that pubic services could be sustainably and adequately funded into the future.

Additional information

​UNISON Wales is the largest public sector trade union organising around 100,000 public sector workers in Wales.

UNISON Wales, in addition to campaigning for an end to austerity and for Fair Funding for Wales from the Westminster Government, is also campaigning for the Wales Government to protect Local Government spending and take the necessary measures to ensure that our council services, which ensure healthy and educated communities, are protected.

Status

This petition was considered completed by the Petitions Committee at its meeting on 07/03/2017.

The Committee agreed to close the petition on the basis that the petitioners currently have the opportunity to provide their views to the development of proposals on local government reform, and that there is little further value that the Petitions Committee can offer alongside that process.

Full details of the consideration of this petition by the committee and related documents can be seen on the Meetings tab above.

Assembly constituency and Region

• Cardiff Central
• South Wales Central

Further information

• Learn more about the Assembly’s petitions process
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