THE IMPACT OF LOCAL-GOVERNMENT REORGANIZATION ON TRANSPORT AND STRATEGIC-PLANNING IN WALES

There are currently eight county councils in Wales responsible for tra nsport and strategic planning, and 37 district councils, The Secretary of State for Wales is creating 22 new unitary authorities to replace the counties and the districts from 1 April 1996. This reorganization will have a major impact on the transport and planning functions, This Paper contains a discussion of these impacts, which range across the relationship that local authorities have with the European Union, cent ral government, one another and with the transport operators, It also includes an examination of alternative structures for the delivery of services within the unitary authorities, acknowledging the importance of associated legislation on compulsory competitive tendering, The Pap er concludes with a personal view of the future for transport and stra tegic planning within local government in Wales.