Council leaders and chief executives across Wales have agreed a new vision for the future of local government, setting out how councils can work differently to deliver better outcomes for communities.
The vision, published in Local government fit for the future, describes tomorrow's council as collaborative, preventive, outcome-focused, innovative, financially empowered and digitally enabled. It builds on councils' role as service providers, positioning them as stronger democratic leaders of place.
The report is the final output of an independent working group convened by the Wales Centre for Public Policy with the Welsh Local Government Association, bringing together sector leaders and experts.
It proposes a sustainable operating model to help councils meet rising demand, financial and workforce pressures, and technological change – calling for closer public service collaboration, greater resident voice, and new ways of working, backed by reform to funding, performance and accountability structures.
Cllr Mary Ann Brocklesby, WLGA spokesperson for Health and Social Care said: ‘This vision asks us to think beyond individual services and focus on what people actually want for their communities: healthier lives, good opportunities and places where everyone can thrive. Achieving that means involving residents in the choices that affect them and working much more closely across organisational boundaries.
‘We know there is no single answer that will work everywhere. What matters is giving councils the freedom, capacity and long-term confidence to learn, adapt and build on what works locally. This report gives us a shared direction and an opportunity to shape the next chapter of Welsh local government together.’
