Councillors from Ceredigion and Powys met in Llandrindod Wells last week for the first meeting of a new Joint Committee, set up to oversee collaboration between the two authorities for the delivery of engineering, transport and property services.
Building on the strong track record of collaboration between the two authorities, the Central Wales Shared Services Joint Committee paves the way for joint working in further service areas and is warmly welcomed by the WLGA Central Wales Regional Partnership Board.
Cllr Ray Quant (Ceredigion), chair of the meeting said: “This partnership between Ceredigion and Powys is based on firm foundations as the two councils have worked together very successfully to deliver the Mid Wales Trunk Road Agency on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government. Overseeing a range of services jointly demonstrates how Central Wales has responded positively to the challenges set by the Welsh Assembly Government for local authorities to collaborate within their spatial areas.”
Councillor Quant added: “The councils are keen to explore any opportunities to extend the partnership with other public sector organisations including the Welsh Assembly themselves.”
Cllr Geraint Hopkins (Powys) said: “The two councils share many common characteristics reflecting the very special rural nature of Central Wales. The evolving partnership between Ceredigion and Powys gives us scope to organise services on a regional basis and addresses some of the challenges we face in the public sector to deliver efficient and effective services within a difficult financial framework. I am delighted to see that all the hard work which has gone into developing the partnership over the last year has culminated in such a positive outcome.”
The Joint Committee expressed their thanks specifically to the Welsh Assembly for the support they have provided to this collaboration which has enabled the Councils to set such a progressive agenda.
