THE Welsh Conservatives have announced plans to give people in the Vale of Glamorgan the final say on potential local authority mergers.

Amendments tabled by the Welsh Conservatives mean that residents in the Vale of Glamorgan would first have to approve a proposed merger, via a referendum, before it could go ahead.

The move comes as Labour’s Local Government (Wales) Bill reaches the National Assembly for its third stage of reading.

The controversial merger plans have seen recommendations made that Wales' 22 local authorities be reduced to as little as eight councils.

Earlier this year the Vale of Glamorgan council saw a proposal for a merger with Bridgend rejected in favour of Public Service Minister Leighton Andrews' preference for a merger between the Vale and Cardiff Council.

The Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies, a Vale resident and regional AM for South Wales Central said the proposals would ensure power is placed "firmly in the hands of local residents" ensuring that "any merger is put to residents via a referendum".

He said: “The Welsh Conservatives steadfastly oppose Labour’s forced mergers and will continue to stand up for our proud communities in the Vale of Glamorgan which are currently under severe threat.

“As we’ve said all along, where Councils can work together, share services and save money they have the backing and support of Welsh Conservatives – but only with the consent of local people.

“We have long opposed Labour’s marker-pen assault on the Vale. Instead of taking people with him the Minister has ploughed ahead with his unpopular plans, risking great upheaval, less localised services and an attempt to banish one of Wales’ proudest communities from the map altogether.”