Local government is facing a growing number of pressures in Wales, with demand for services such as social care and ALN support increasing while other services face cuts due to difficult financial settlements.

The current model of local government is unsustainable and will need to be changed or adapted in response to this combination of increased costs and demand on services.

The Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP), supported by the WLGA, convened an independent working group on sustainable local government for the future, made up of serving local authority leaders and chief executives in Wales alongside independent expertise, chaired by former WCPP director Professor Steve Martin.

The group, with support and expert input from the WCPP, considered the challenges faced by local authorities and in its final report, Local government fit for the future, explains a vision for the future of local government in Wales, supported by an operating model and necessary cultural shifts to achieve this vision. The group has previously set out positions and recommendations in A firm foundation for change, aiming to improve the resilience and autonomy of local government.

WCPP supported the group by preparing and commissioning independent evidence on the areas the group covered, and by drafting and editing outputs. The group’s outputs consider the purpose and functions of local government; financing of local government; workforce; organisational leadership and culture; and supporting innovation and developing a new operating model.

The group’s work has now been successfully completed, with its final outputs - Local government fit for the future and A firm foundation for change, towards a new operating model for local government. The group’s work has been endorsed by council leaders at the WLGA Executive Board and by the chief executives of the 22 Welsh local authorities via Solace, the local government membership network.