:00:00. > :00:19.Some councils could be forced to merge because of the rising
:00:20. > :00:23.That's according Steve Thomas, the Chief Executive
:00:24. > :00:27.of the Welsh Local Government Association.
:00:28. > :00:32.He says social care costs are expected to double
:00:33. > :00:37.in the next 15 years, and already struggling councils
:00:38. > :00:40.could work with or merge with others so that they can deliver services.
:00:41. > :00:43.Social care is the second-largest service within local government,
:00:44. > :00:52.It supports over 125,000 vulnerable people, and employs more
:00:53. > :00:58.But according to Steve Thomas, the extra costs of care could be
:00:59. > :01:02.too much for councils, which are already struggling.
:01:03. > :01:04.With an increasingly ageing population, Mr Thomas
:01:05. > :01:06.predicts care costs will double over the next decade.
:01:07. > :01:07.He told BBC Wales's Sunday Supplement programme
:01:08. > :01:12.will be able to cope will be to merge.
:01:13. > :01:15.Costs of social care will double in the next 15 years.
:01:16. > :01:17.That is the elephant in the room for us, in
:01:18. > :01:22.That is the thing that's going to drive a lot of
:01:23. > :01:25.It also crowds up some of the other services.
:01:26. > :01:29.So, I think active consideration of either mergers of authorities
:01:30. > :01:31.or at least mergers of services will be commonplace
:01:32. > :01:36.Last week the Welsh government announced an extra ?10 million
:01:37. > :01:41.a year to help ensure the social care sector is strong
:01:42. > :01:45.Much of that money will help meet the extra costs associated
:01:46. > :01:47.with the introduction of the National living
:01:48. > :01:51.Elections will be held in all of Wales's 22 councils in May.
:01:52. > :01:54.Whoever wins, councillors will have to grapple with a care sector whose
:01:55. > :01:56.costs are spiralling, while the same time trying
:01:57. > :02:05.Steelworkers at Tata Works in Port Talbot are being urged
:02:06. > :02:12.Plaid Cymru AM Adam Price say the offer is "unacceptable".
:02:13. > :02:19.which would mean they accept a less generous pension in return
:02:20. > :02:23.The unions say, while respecting Mr Price's opinion,
:02:24. > :02:25.it's vital the workforce understands the proposals and maintaining
:02:26. > :02:27.steel production has been key to discussions.
:02:28. > :02:29.Tata says it can't comment while the consultation
:02:30. > :02:38.Ten local authority leaders have backed a key report into the Cardiff
:02:39. > :02:44.The proposals aim to create 25,000 jobs
:02:45. > :02:47.in South East Wales and include schemes like the South Wales metro.
:02:48. > :02:57.From Chepstow up to the heads of the valleys, the Cardiff capital
:02:58. > :03:01.region city deal is a plan to grow the economy over the next 20 years.
:03:02. > :03:07.Signed in March last year, ?1.2 billion is to be invested
:03:08. > :03:13.into public transport and other projects.
:03:14. > :03:16.The aim, to create 25,000 jobs and attract a further ?4 billion
:03:17. > :03:22.An independent report has found the region could be more prosperous
:03:23. > :03:26.and more sustainable if it becomes better connected and
:03:27. > :03:35.Now the leaders of the ten local authorities covered by the plan have
:03:36. > :03:38.unanimously endorsed the report, saying they accept the need
:03:39. > :03:39.to develop a regional economic growth strategy
:03:40. > :03:44.But last month concerns were raised that Cardiff councillors may not
:03:45. > :03:47.agree to back the plan before the local elections in May.
:03:48. > :03:54.The leaders endorsement means that work has now begun
:03:55. > :03:57.This will be considered by individual councils, including
:03:58. > :04:03.Football, and Cardiff lost 2-1 against Fulham at a poorly
:04:04. > :04:06.attended Cardiff City Stadium in the third round of the FA Cup.
:04:07. > :04:08.Their manager, Neil Warnock, said the sparse crowd
:04:09. > :04:12.was a sign of the FA Cup's declining status.
:04:13. > :04:16.Meanwhile, Swansea's new boss, Paul Clement, is planning
:04:17. > :04:23.for a busy transfer window at the Liberty Stadium.
:04:24. > :04:25.The Swans lost 2-0 yesterday against Hull.
:04:26. > :04:28.The Cardiff born actor - Matthew Rhys - is hoping for success
:04:29. > :04:30.at the Golden Globes in California this evening.
:04:31. > :04:32.He's nominated for best performance for his role as Philip Jennings
:04:33. > :04:35.in the TV series The Americans - a 1980s Cold War drama
:04:36. > :04:42.Light rain and drizzle likely but it'll stay frost-free.
:04:43. > :04:44.Tomorrow morning, rain, heavy in places and strong winds.
:04:45. > :04:51.It'll become colder later, with sunny spells and showers.
:04:52. > :04:55.And that's it for tonight from the Sunday team
:04:56. > :04:57.More in our morning bulletins, but for now,
:04:58. > :05:16.Good evening. Rain around for all of us over the next 24-hour. Then it
:05:17. > :05:18.will turn colder later on this