Mike German comment on Beecham response

10.55.10am GMT Tue 21st Nov 2006

Commenting on the publication of Making the Connections - Delivering Beyond Boundaries, Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Mike German said:

"There is much to welcome in the Labour Assembly Government's proposals, indeed, we've been calling for some of it since Beecham was published.

"However, I have a number of concerns, not least the over-centralising top-down tendency that runs through these proposals - and indeed has been a hallmark of this Labour government.

"I fear that this is a uniform solution to a series of non-uniform problems.

"While the proposed Public Service Boards bring together a range of public services, I am concerned about how - or even if - they would work with the private and voluntary sectors.

"There is also a question about democratic accountability of PSBs which could be dominated by unelected representatives of local health boards or police authorities. I would want to ensure that elected local councillors have a key role both in decision making, and in scrutinising those decisions. Joining up services must not be an excuse for reducing accountability and transparency.

"I also have questions about how staff on different terms and conditions will work together.

"I hope the current government will be seeking to build a consensus in Wales on this issue. Labour's usual 'us and them' approach will condemn Making the Connections to failure.

This is a long term project which will require the support of successive governments if it is to succeed."