Jayne Bryant MS, Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government
Today, the Prif Weinidog, WLGA Leader, WLGA Presiding Officer, and myself as Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, were pleased to sign a Strategic Partnership Agreement (the Agreement) between the Welsh Government and Local Government in Wales. The agreement was formally launched at the Welsh Local Government Association’s (WLGA) Annual Conference and is testament to our shared commitment to work together to deliver for the people of Wales.
The Welsh Government and Local Government have long recognised the importance of working together in trusted partnership to deliver the best outcomes for people and communities across Wales. Over the past five years, we have navigated a cost-of-living crisis, the impact of the war in Ukraine and the Covid-19 pandemic. These challenges brought to light the benefits of working together with a shared focus on protecting and serving our communities.
The aim of the Agreement is to codify these ways of working, creating an enduring framework to underpin and drive forward the relationship between both Welsh Government and local government across Wales. The Agreement is the product of extensive discussions between Welsh Ministers, all council Leaders, and WLGA spokespeople over several months. It sets out a range of key shared ambitions across a range of areas to drive fundamental and meaningful change across priority areas.
To ensure these ambitions are delivered, the Agreement sets out how the benefits of working together can be realised by defining, clarifying, and formalising roles and responsibilities, while respecting local, democratic decision-making.
The signing of the Agreement is the beginning of a process, rather than the end. The Agreement has been developed as an ‘evolving’ document, to be reviewed annually to ensure the continued delivery of shared ambitions and maintain trusted relationships.
Further work will be ongoing between the Welsh Government and local government on the shape and detail of the specific ambitions, ensuring the new ways of working will support effective and focused delivery.
This Agreement is a testament to our collective commitment to trusted partnership and gives us a strong foundation to achieve more together. I look forward to the positive impact it will have to help us achieve our shared goals and deliver meaningful improvements to public services for future generations.