By Lucy Phillips
13 May 2011
The Welsh Local Government Association has urged the new Assembly government to find its ‘own solution’ to Westminster’s proposals to establish police and crime commissioners.
Plans to replace police authorities in England and Wales with the commissioners have been vehemently opposed by the WLGA and previously voted down by the National Assembly.
Following the House of Lords’ rejection of the related clauses in the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill this month, the WLGA said all of Wales’ local government parties and police authorities thought the status quo was ‘fit for purpose and effective’.
WLGA chief executive Steve Thomas said: ‘Following the unprecedented vote earlier this year in the National Assembly, whereby they refused to give power to the UK government to legislate to establish police and crime panels in Wales though local authorities, we now urge the new Assembly government to come forward with its own solution.’
The Welsh Labour party fell one seat short of securing an overall majority in the May 5 Assembly elections but nevertheless decided to form a government alone – having previously been in coalition with Plaid Cymru.
Carwyn Jones was subsequently confirmed first minster and appointed a fresh Cabinet, which includes three new ministers: Huw Lewis as minister for housing, regeneration and heritage, John Griffiths as minister for the environment and sustainable development and Lesley Griffiths as minister for health and social services.
Carl Sargeant remains local government minister and Jane Hutt finance minister.
