Does the Minister have any plans to devolve powers from the Welsh Government to local authorities?
The Welsh Government believes in the principle of subsidiarity – that government responsibilities should be allocated to the most local level at which they can be performed efficiently and effectively.
To support this, the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 provided local authorities with the general power of competence. This power enables local authorities to act in their communities’ best interests, generate efficiencies and secure value for money outcomes.
The 2021 Act also provided for the establishment of four regional Corporate Joint Committees (CJCs). CJCs have a general power to promote economic well-being which provides considerable flexibility.
The Welsh Government will always consider any firm proposals from local government for the devolution of powers to CJCs or local authorities.