CARDIFF council have agreed to attempt to negotiate a merger with the Vale of Glamorgan council, a move twice rejected by the Vale.

The city council's cabinet will begin discussions about a voluntary merger, in line with the recommendations set out in the Williams Commission report earlier this year.

The Welsh Government are seeking to reduce the number of local authorities in Wales from 22 to 12, with Public Services Minister Leighton Andrews urging councils to merge voluntarily. He has asked for responses by the end of November.

The Vale of Glamorgan council's current position is that it wishes to continue as a self standing unitary council. A report that went before the council at the end of September pointed towards Bridgend being a preferred option to a merger with Cardiff, a move that would create one of the largest authorities in the UK with nearly half a million residents.

This opinion was echoed by Independent councillor Richard Bertin, who has also publicly stated that he wants the public to have the final decision - a sentiment shared by fellow Independent councillor Philip Clarke, the only councillor to vote in favour of a merger with Cardiff.

Councillor Clarke said he did not agree that the Vale council is a "viable and successful authority".

"Additionally, I did not think it appropriate for councillors to discuss and vote on an issue which would have had financial consequences on their remuneration or improve their chances of being re-elected," he said.

Regional AM and Leader of the Welsh Conservatives Andrew RT Davies has been outspoken in his opposition to a merger with Cardiff, and also what he called the "bully boy" tactics of the Welsh Government.

This week, speaking after Cardiff council declared their intentions to consider a merger with the Vale, he also urged Vale AM Jane Hutt to "make it clear where she stood" adding that "her silence is deafening".

“Unremarkably the undertones of threat and coercion are forcing councils to look at the option of merging," said Mr Davies. "Despite the Vale council having twice rejected the idea.

“Slashing council budgets and then threatening authorities with further financial insecurity if they don’t toe the minister’s line is no way to build a consensus for his controversial plans.

“As I have said all along, mergers should be considered on a case by case basis and it is clear that in some cases these may be beneficial and mutually welcomed.

“In the case of the Vale of Glamorgan there is a clear view amongst locally elected councillors that this move would not be beneficial for ratepayers.

"The Minister should reflect on local views and it is about time the local AM, Jane Hutt, made it clear where she stood - her silence is deafening.”