One Voice Wales Un Llais Cymru Mr Lyn Cadwallader Chief Executive The Voice of Town and Prif Weithredwr Community Councils Larger Councils Conference 8 July 2015 Llais Cynghorau Tref a Chymuned www.onevoicewales.org.uk
Changing times...policy context Legislative Changes – some things haven’t changed… Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011 – Power of • Wellbeing…implementation Local Government Democracy Act • Wellbeing of Future Generations Bill • Planning Bill • Social Care and Environment Bills • Local Government Reform – White paper Reforming • Local Govt: Power to Local People One Voice Wales Un Llais Cymru
White Paper – Reforming Local Government: Power to the People Key points Diversity in local government raised Potential power for LA’s to review Community and Town Councils Principle of subsidiarity Establishment of Area Boards Mergers for Community and Town Councils Competency framework (Accreditation?) – remove sec 137 limitations/CiLCA qualifications for Clerks Restrictions on twin hatted councillors? Rights for community bodies Role for mutuals One Voice Wales Un Llais Cymru
Current environment facing Larger Councils Reducing budgets in LA’s Services at risk LA’s – opportunities?? Redesign or lose services Alternative delivery models – next big thing! Transformation agenda New community leadership requirements Uncertain local government map People expecting more from public services One Voice Wales Un Llais Cymru
Larger Councils facing big challenges… - Asset and service devolution - Community engagement/planning - Joint working and collaboration - Taking up new roles - Building capacity to meet future expectations One Voice Wales Un Llais Cymru
Messages from the Minister • “I would like to see community and town councils more actively involved in services which meet the needs of vulnerable groups in communities.” – Ageing Population/Youth challenges • “To respond to these changes, Community and Town Councils must be more ambitious, open and transparent and prepared to work in partnership with other organisations. The range in sizes, budgets and activities of our grass roots councils in Wales means there is a case for improving consistency. This will require a step change in the capacity and capability of some councils, stronger governance, and wider engagement with other public services and third and private sectors.” – Review of Large Councils organisational capability Source: The Wales Training Strategy 2015-19 One Voice Wales Un Llais Cymru
Alternative Delivery Models – Challenges Graph of Doom Hearts and Minds: members, workers, Partners The Holy Grail: from confrontation to common purpose Can’t duck resources and support needs Social capital and capacity: getting people on board Scaling up v’s the Slow Burning Platform A new view of Partnership…town councils very much in the thinking One Voice Wales Un Llais Cymru
Emerging Thinking – Alternative Delivery Models Context and Drivers (1) - Austerity: the cavalry aren’t coming - Boundaries may change but transformation here to stay - A positive case for Public Services Reform - The scope: anything that isn’t privatisation - The Co-op/Mutual Commission One Voice Wales Un Llais Cymru
Emerging Thinking – Alternative Delivery Models Context and Drivers (2) - Policy supportive of the consumer: putting communities at the centre of purchase and delivery - Encouraged to work collaboratively - Encouraged to work in different ways - Encouraged to consider earlier intervention and preventative services One Voice Wales Un Llais Cymru
Larger Councils – Potential Solutions • Policy – opportunities to influence the emerging agenda • Need to learn from each others practice more effectively • Need to look further afield…UK and internationally • Need to Share Emerging Practice in sector on asset and service transfer One Voice Wales Un Llais Cymru
What can Larger Councils do to support transformation agenda? Give government an attractive offer eg’s – ‘Provide the community with effective, accountable and democratic representation’ – Use our grassroots knowledge to work in partnership with other councils and bodies to deliver public services, taking on more responsibility where this is appropriate – Plan for the future by protecting local assets and shaping development such as new homes – Modernise how we operate, ensuring large councils are resilient, efficient and effective, including driving up standards Source: NALC Manifesto One Voice Wales Un Llais Cymru
Larger Councils: asking for Stronger Local Democracy Promote and support the creation of new community and town councils Support the sector to create a improvement and developent strategy, providing a framework for good governance, community engagement and council improvement Work with the sector to encourage more people to become councillors, promoting contested elections and establishing a democracy support fund Strengthen links between local councils and future Public Service Boards One Voice Wales Un Llais Cymru
Are Larger Councils ready for the future? National Survey results 40% have trouble paying bills 59% predict a widening gap between rich and poor 59% believe climate change effects will get worse 81% of people have used the internet 58% went to an arts event last year 35% want to set up their own business 79% feel there is respect in their community One Voice Wales Un Llais Cymru
Key requirement to enable change to happen… “Welsh Government needs to give time and space and resources to make this agenda work” Unitary Authority CEO One Voice Wales Un Llais Cymru
One Voice Wales Un Llais Cymru Mr Lyn Cadwallader Thank You and Chief Executive Prif Weithredwr Questions Diolch yn Fawr www.onevoicewales.org.uk
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