Briefing paper–February 2015

Introduction

This briefing paper aims to provide an overview of the Welsh Government White Paper ‘Reforming Local Government: Power to Local People’.

The Minister for Public Services, Leighton Andrews AM, published the White Paper on 3 February 2015, which describes the Welsh Government’s intention for the future of local government in Wales.The White Paper sets out the Welsh Government's proposals for local democracy, including the roles of elected members and senior officers, community governance and community councils, as well as scrutiny and audit.

While the White Paper does not explicitly cover the 'map' of Local Government mergers, about which there has been considerable debate and speculation since the recommendations made by the Williams Commission, and which Welsh Government accepted, it does set the provisions of the White Paper in the context of fewer, larger Local Authorities and covers the second Local Government Bill, intended to enable mergers and expected to be introduced in the National Assembly in autumn 2016.

Launching the White Paper at Gwent Archives, the Minister said: 'In this White Paper, we set out the terms of a new deal for local government in Wales, one based on a smaller number of stronger councils, which will result in national government in Wales setting a small number of clear national priorities.

'This is about reform not reorganisation. It is about rebuilding councils from the inside out, rebuilding trust and confidence in local government and a new relationship between Councils and the people they serve.'

The full consultation is 108 pages, but Welsh Government recognises that much of the White Paper is technical in nature, and there is therefore a 32-page ‘Everyday summary version’ and a version for young people. There is an accompanying survey for consultation responses.

Reforming Local Government: Power to Local People

This briefing attempts to summarise the White Paper,which is divided into the following chapters:

  1. Power to Local People

Provides an overview of the context for the White Paper, setting out the historical picture and providing The Welsh Government’s rationale for change in Local Government.

  1. Balancing the responsibilities of National and Local Government

Considers the relationship between Welsh Government and Local Government; sets out Welsh Government’s intention to legislate for fewer, larger Local Authorities, and give a general power of competence to Local Authorities; and considers changing the constitutions of Local Authorities to better articulate their relationship with local people.

  1. Renewing Democracy

Considers the roles of Elected Members, including reflecting the diversity of the communities they represent; states Welsh Government’s intention to legislate about the roles of the Leader, Cabinet Members, Elected Members and the Chief Executive Officer; and asks questions about costs of politics and the frequency of Local Government elections.

  1. Connections with Communities

Welsh Government sets out its vision for Local Government through a new relationship with local communities; proposes raising the ambition of Community Councils and strengthening their engagement with other services and the third sector.

  1. Power to Local Communities

Welsh Government sets out its intentions for Local Authorities which actively share power with the communities they serve, including through mutualism, co-operation and shared ownership in the transformation of public services. Considers new models of service delivery, community participation and asset transfer.

  1. Corporate Governance and Improvement

Proposes strengthening the role of Local Authority Audit Committees, repealing Part 1 of the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2009, introducing a system of Local Authority self-assessment; giving Welsh Ministers powers to commission independent reviews of Local Authority capability and capacity.

  1. Performance in Local Government

Welsh Government proposes a statutory requirement for all Local Authorities to publish a corporate plan and an Annual Report of performance; the creation of an online information portal about the performance of all Local Authorities; a statutory requirement for all Local Authorities to have an online and offline complaints process, including a requirement to publish information on complaints.

  1. Strengthening the Role of Review

Welsh Government proposes requiring Local Authorities to set out the key decision for internal review, strengthening Scrutiny Committees’ forward planning; requiring external review bodies to share information with local Scrutiny Committees; requiring external review bodies to co-ordinate and produce a combined assessment of Local Authorities every two years; and requiring external review bodies to produce a joint annual assessment of the state of Local Government in Wales.

  1. Reforming Local Government Finance

Proposes changes to Local Government funding to support the reforms proposed elsewhere in the White Paper. Also proposes clearer financial governance and accounting arrangements.

You can download the consultation document from:

WCVA intends to submit a response and we would welcome input from third sector organisations operating in Wales. We envisage that much of the third sector interest will be in chapters 3, 4, 5 and 8. If you would like to contribute to our response please send comments to us by 14 April 2015.

WCVA and the County Voluntary Councils will be working with Welsh Government to hold consultation events with the third sector across Wales throughout March. Further details on our website

If you would like to contribute to WCVA’s response, please contact:

Gareth Coles

WCVA

Tel: 02920 431 771

E mail:

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