BLAENAU Gwent and Caerphilly could become the first councils in Wales to merge their social services departments to deal with the increasing demand for services in a tough economic climate.

A report due to go before Blaenau Gwent’s executive committee next week reveals that the two councils are working on “radical” proposals to integrate their social services over the next three years, in line with thinking from the Assembly Government.

If approved, the plans would see both social services departments become fully integrated by 2014, including services such as fostering, safeguarding children, and home care for adults.

The merger would be the first of its kind in Wales.

The report by Blaenau Gwent’s director of social services Liz Majer says the worst economic downturn in recent history and an increased demand for services has meant councils have had to rethink the way they provide services.

Back office functions will be integrated in 2011/2012, adult and children’s services in 2012/2013, with full integration of all services and the creation of a single management team in 2013/2014.

The new system would increase both councils’ service capacity, and allow them to offer a wider range of services that would be too costly for the authorities to provide individually.

Although the report said there would be staffing implications, there is no intention to make any compulsory redundancies and staff reductions would be made over time through retirement, vacancies and redeployment.

Blaenau Gwent executive will be asked to approve the establishment of a project board and plan at its meeting next Wednesday, while Caerphilly council’s cabinet will consider a similar report on July 5 to formalise the agreement.

Rob Evans, Unison branch secretary for Blaenau Gwent, said reductions in Assembly funding meant projects like this would become more common.