The new Welsh local government minister has placed improved services to the people of Wales top of his agenda. Speaking at the Welsh Local Government Association conference in Swansea last week Andrew Davies said local authorities had a central role to play in the process. ‘With the National Assembly for Wales now taking up its new law making powers, this is a great opportunity to consider the role of local government in delivering effective public service,' he said. Mr Davies also committed to considering proposals to reform elements of the business rate arrangement, which was welcomed by WLGA leader Cllr Derek Vaughan. ‘We are pleased the new minister is committed to a serious debate about the future of business rates in Wales as well as securing three year settlements for local government in the future,' he said. ‘Let's also reduce the number of grants by putting them into the financial settlement.'
