Drawing on interviews with Welsh council leaders, chief executives, finance directors, and external stakeholders, this study explores Welsh councils’ responses to austerity. We find that councils have responded to austerity in three main ways: by making efficiency savings; by reducing the need for council services; and by changing the role played by councils and other stakeholders. However, Welsh local government is reaching a tipping point in terms of financial challenges. Most efficiency savings have now been made, and anticipated reductions in the range and quality of services in future will directly impact on citizens’ quality of life in Wales.
This project is funded by the WLGA and Wales Public Services 2025.
Image by Chris Andrews (CC BY-SA 2.0)
James Downe is a Professor in Public Policy & Management in Cardiff Business School and Director of Research at the […] 
Former Senior Research Officer