“We can’t afford the current arrangement. I think we need a regional structure – possibly five or six at most.”The Welsh Local Government Association, which represents Welsh councils, admitted “council budgets are being squeezed like never before” but the problems were down to greater pressure on services.It said: “Soaring demand and inflation are the main factors impacting council budgets; residents’ needs would still need to be met regardless of the local authority’s footprint.”The Welsh government has been asked to comment.