local

Critics of the plans say the changes will decimate the Samaritans' work in local communities and have accused the charity's leadership of repeatedly ignoring requests to provide the rationale for the plans.

Authorities downplayed this, saying her occasional calls to agents and local police officers were unsolicited.

More importantly, it allowed him to focus on the most of local of issues affecting communities which seldom appear on his radar.

The UK government announced £214m in new funding in Wales, including £35m for Wales' 22 local authorities to use over the next two years.

The Holyrood vote will coincide with the Welsh Parliament and English local elections.