Cyngor Cymunedol TREGWYR

This Council has considered your consultation document regarding governance in Wales and broadly supports strengthening the present powers vested in the National Assembly.

Liaison between local and central government has demonstrably improved in Wales since devolution, but all agencies are frustrated about the lack of clear lines of responsibility vested in WAG in implementing various aspects of policy. This Council has contributed to the Sunderland Commission which is currently considering the powers of local councils and my Members suspect that AMs presently have the same frustrations in implementing their democratic wishes.

Members of this Council realise that issues affecting the integrity of our national borders relating to defence, immigration etc should remain at parliamentary level. However, this Council considers that matters relating to domestic policy such as education, transportation etc could be better administered by strengthening WAG powers, including the varying of tax to accommodate particular needs within the Principality.

In strengthening WAG powers, perhaps the First Minister could replace the Secretary of State in the Cabinet at Westminster and the present role of Welsh MPs retained for consistency.

In also working for Swansea Bay Port Health Authority, I receive duplicate correspondence from the National Assembly and Westminster-based government departments, and feel that substantial savings could be made if the vehicle of disseminating correspondence on any given governmental issue is also addressed by strengthening WAG.