Commenting on the Welsh Government’s publication of its preferred configuration of local authorities in Wales, Russell George, Assembly Member for Montgomeryshire, said:
“I welcome the decision to retain Powys as a stand-alone local authority which reflects the unique nature of delivering local services over a large, sparsely populated, rural area.
“However, we also need to know what will happen to the wider funding formula for local government. The challenge of delivering a range of public services over such a wide geographic area remains an issue. I believe Powys is considerably underfunded compared to other local authorities in Wales. This issue has been further exacerbated by poor funding settlements over the last seven years, where Powys has, year-on-year, received one of the largest budget cuts of any local authority in Wales.
“I am also keen to ensure that a democratic deficit isn’t allowed to develop by stealth through creeping centralisation. I have long been a champion of localism and would like to see the devolution of power to local people to make decisions over their own communities. Decisions should be taken and services delivered much closer to the heart of local communities."