Public Services Management: Merger message

Voters in two small South Wales communities have heavily rejected proposals from the Secretary of State for Wales to close down their district council, merging them into a larger unitary authority. The referendum in Tawe Uchaf and Ystradgynlais, conducted by Brecknock council, resulted in 5,049 votes against the proposal, with just 149 votes in favour, on a 70 per cent turnout.