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.
