Written Statement - Review of the Community Council sector

In the Reforming Local Government: Resilient and Renewed White Paper I announced my intention to commission a comprehensive review of the Community Council sector.

Community councils are an integral part of local government. They are often closest to people and local communities, and therefore uniquely placed to see, and provide, those services which can have a significant impact on an individual’s well-being.

However the size, responsibilities and community involvement across the community council sector is varied.

We need to have an honest debate about what the future role of Community Councils might look like, and consider what the right organisational format is to support local communities.

In broad terms the scope of the review is to:
 

• Explore the potential role of local government below principal councils, drawing on examples of effective arrangements;
• Define the most appropriate model(s) and structure(s) to effectively deliver this role;
• Consider how these models and structures should be applied across Wales.  This will include consideration of any situations in which they would not be necessary or appropriate.

This review will focus on what is required in addition to principal councils in order to ensure the most local level of government is effective, efficient and delivering benefits to local communities

I am pleased to announce that Gwenda Thomas and Rhodri Glyn Thomas have agreed to chair the review.  They will be joined by Councillor Kathryn Silk and William Graham.

I will be seeking expressions of interest from those working directly with communities for the remaining two places on the panel.

I expect the review to start in July and take a year.  It will be evidence based and inclusive.  All relevant stakeholders will be invited to contribute including, but not limited to, community and town councils, principal councils and community and third sector groups.