A LEADING Mold churchman has welcomed plans to extend the powers of the Welsh Assembly. Mervyn Phillips, an elder at the town's Tyddyn Street church and chairman of Wales' Presbyterian Church and Society Board, said the move was a step towards giving the Assembly the same powers as the Scottish Parliament. He said the Presbyterian Church was ready to take a lead in supporting devolution because distinct communities need to make their own decisions. He added: 'We want to see devolution work better and the proposed powers should help achieve that. 'Proposals for the dispersal of Welsh Assembly departments, as well as regional offices are also relevant to the success of devolution.' Mr Phillips said church leaders in Wales had given personal support to granting the Assembly further legislative powers. The Most Reverend Doctor Barry Morgan, Archbishop of Wales, said: 'The intention of the Bill to grant the Assembly further powers is welcomed.' The Rev Gethin Abraham-Williams, General Secretary of Cytun (Churches Together in Wales), said: 'We value the way devolution has brought faith communities closer. Mr Phillips added: 'The Government's response to the Richard Commission would make devolution more workable.' | 
