Today, Denbighshire has voted to merge itself out of existence. Well, to explore the potential for a merger with Conwy that may lead to an expression of interest. There are implications for Rhuthun/Ruthin, a town that gained, lost, regained and will now soon lose its county town status.
But it appears that some in Llangollen again see a future not within the merged Cowny-Denbighshire combine but with Wrecsam.
During the years of debate ahead of the 1996 reorganisation, there were various possibilities for the town. Initially, Rhuthun-based Glyndŵr district council wanted Llangollen to move towards Wrecsam but when put to the vote, Glyndŵr chief executive Julian Parry had to concede astonishment that his councillors favoured Llangollen remaining alongside Glyndŵr with all of Rhuddlan borough *and* rural Colwyn (Colwyn now being part of Conwy). And so it was but in 1999 the people of Llangollen had a choice and voted to remain in Denbighshire rather than join Wrecsam.
A merger between Conwy & Denbighshire is viewed as a step too far for some in Llangollen. Llandudno is seen as just too distant. But, let's be honest, with modern electronic communications, does it actually matter? It's no further than Bae Colwyn to Yr Wyddgrug/Mold in the former Clwyd, remembering that the A55 was only completed in the late 1980s, more than 10 years after Clwyd formed. Or from Llansilin to Yr Wyddgrug, a journey that took you into England.
There will also be those in Corwen and Llandrillo/Cynwyd who feel they should align themselves with Caernarfon, even further away, given the historic connection between Corwen and Dolgellau in what was Meirionydd.
But, anyway, doesn't the government want a merger of existing councils, without tweaks here and tweaks there?
But it appears that some in Llangollen again see a future not within the merged Cowny-Denbighshire combine but with Wrecsam.
During the years of debate ahead of the 1996 reorganisation, there were various possibilities for the town. Initially, Rhuthun-based Glyndŵr district council wanted Llangollen to move towards Wrecsam but when put to the vote, Glyndŵr chief executive Julian Parry had to concede astonishment that his councillors favoured Llangollen remaining alongside Glyndŵr with all of Rhuddlan borough *and* rural Colwyn (Colwyn now being part of Conwy). And so it was but in 1999 the people of Llangollen had a choice and voted to remain in Denbighshire rather than join Wrecsam.
A merger between Conwy & Denbighshire is viewed as a step too far for some in Llangollen. Llandudno is seen as just too distant. But, let's be honest, with modern electronic communications, does it actually matter? It's no further than Bae Colwyn to Yr Wyddgrug/Mold in the former Clwyd, remembering that the A55 was only completed in the late 1980s, more than 10 years after Clwyd formed. Or from Llansilin to Yr Wyddgrug, a journey that took you into England.
There will also be those in Corwen and Llandrillo/Cynwyd who feel they should align themselves with Caernarfon, even further away, given the historic connection between Corwen and Dolgellau in what was Meirionydd.
But, anyway, doesn't the government want a merger of existing councils, without tweaks here and tweaks there?