Written Statement: Extension of job-share provisions for elected members of principal councils to non-executive roles

Job-sharing arrangements can make it easier for individuals to balance different roles, enabling more people to partake in local democracy while also fulfilling other obligations including employment and care-giving responsibilities. 

These arrangements ensure that civic engagement is accessible to everyone, regardless of their personal circumstances, thereby strengthening the democratic process and promoting equity and fairness.

Our democracy is enriched when we ensure as many people as possible can contribute to and participate in it. Removing barriers to participation allows voices from diverse and varied backgrounds to be heard, ensuring our democracy better reflects the needs and aspirations of local communities.

The Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (“the 2021 Act”) included provisions to address several specific issues about the practical arrangements for job-share partnerships for members of the executive. These included: voting arrangements in cabinet; quorum arrangements for meetings where job-share partners attend; and rules about the number of cabinet members allowed when cabinets include job-share arrangements.

The 2021 Act also provides a power for job share arrangements to be extended to senior non-executive roles such as committee chairs. 

In July 2024 I published a consultation to explore:

• the current arrangements for executive members and whether there are issues that have arisen during the application of these arrangements which require further consideration; and
• extending the provisions to non-executive roles, including the identification of issues that will need to be addressed if this approach is followed.

Today, I have published the summary of consultation responses. The consultation received 20 responses, and I am grateful to all those who submitted their views. 

There was broad support for the extension of job share provisions to non-executive roles and I will now look to make the necessary regulations and guidance to take this forward.