The Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) is a cross-party organisation, and our decision-making arrangements are politically balanced, reflecting the combined political composition of the authorities within our membership. 

 

The WLGA is a member-led organisation through our main decision-making bodies:

 

• Council – comprising of 79 members, proportionately representing the populations they serve
• Executive Board – comprising of the 22 council leaders

 

Through these mechanisms, there is a direct link between the WLGA’s governance arrangements and every individual voter in Wales. Electors vote for their councillors in the local government elections; the elected councillors in turn form governing administrations and elect a leader, and those leaders and councillors are elected on to the WLGA’s Council and Executive Board. 

 

The WLGA also has a Management Sub-Committee and an Audit Committee.

 

Although Labour forms the largest group within the WLGA and holds the posts of Leader and Deputy Leaders, the WLGA operates on the basis of consensus across the political groups including Independents, Conservatives, Plaid Cymru and Liberal Democrats. Leaders and other WLGA Council Members act as Spokespersons for the WLGA, covering a range of local government services or portfolios. These portfolio areas cover every aspect of local government service ranging from finance, education and social services to libraries and leisure. 

 

The WLGA is recognised under the statutory Local Government Partnership Scheme, derived from the Government of Wales Act 2006, as the negotiating body representing local government. Thus, WLGA Spokespersons represent the whole of local government in discussions and negotiations with the Welsh Government, the UK Government and all other national partners in their particular service areas. In addition, a small team of officers provide professional expertise and support to assist in the lobbying, improvement and policy development process.

 

The WLGA promotes the important role of local government to Senedd Members and seeks to enhance and protect councils’ reputation and secure positive change to legislation. 

 

Much of the WLGA’s work is focussed on the Welsh Parliament (Senedd), the Welsh Government and other national stakeholders and partners. The WLGA also liaises with the Wales Office and works closely with the LGA in London in seeking to influence non-devolved policies and legislation. The WLGA’s work involves engagement with Ministers, Senedd Members, and other national and governmental organisations. The WLGA’s lobbying work is therefore extensive.

 

Our key areas of work include:

 

• Bilateral meetings between WLGA Spokespersons, Cabinet Secretaries and Ministers;
• Pre and post-legislative scrutiny with the Welsh, UK and European Parliaments;
• Policy development and joint working with the Welsh Government and UK Government;
• Engaging with the workforce unions;
• Working with the various Inspectorates in Wales;
• Providing Improvement Support, including Peer Review and Member Development and Training and promoting good practice;
• Arranging conferences, seminars, workshops and training events;
• The publication of reports, guidance documents and on-line resources;
• Communications, press work, and social media.

 

The WLGA is committed to championing Equalities and Diversity, promoting the Welsh Language and is a committed stakeholder in securing the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act.

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