THE IMPACT OF LOCAL-GOVERNMENT REORGANIZATION ON TRANSPORT AND STRATEGIC-PLANNING IN WALES

There are currently eight county councils in Wales responsible for transport and strategic planning, and 37 district councils, The Secretary of State for Wales is creating 22 new unitary authorities to replace the counties and the districts from 1 April 1996. This reorganization will have a major impact on the transport and planning functions, This Paper contains a discussion of these impacts, which range across the relationship that local authorities have with the European Union, central government, one another and with the transport operators, It also includes an examination of alternative structures for the delivery of services within the unitary authorities, acknowledging the importance of associated legislation on compulsory competitive tendering, The Paper concludes with a personal view of the future for transport and strategic planning within local government in Wales.