THE decision to reject the Vale council's Bridgend merger plans is "good news" for people in the Vale, South Wales Central AM Andrew RT Davies has said.

Mr Davies has long been opposed to the Vale's plans to propose a merger with Bridgend council rather than the Williams Commission's recommendation of merging with Cardiff.

“This decision is good news for residents of the Vale of Glamorgan, but the proposal was deeply flawed from the start," said Mr Davies.

“I remain deeply concerned that local authorities have been forced to consider inappropriate options because of the significant threat of financial penalties for those who refused.

“The minister’s ability to deliver local government reform has surely been called into question, particularly given the emphasis he himself placed on voluntary mergers.

“It is vital that we get clarity from the Welsh Government on the next steps for local authorities. Equally important though, it is high time that we had a proper discussion about the shape of local government in the future.

“To date, no one has outlined what services will be delivered under the new structure or indeed what role, if any, will be played by town and community councillors.”