Will the Minister provide an update on the work of Corporate Joint Committees and plans for the evolution of the committees over the next 12 months?
As Members of the Senedd should know, the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 provided for the creation of four Corporate Joint Committees (CJCs). From 30 June 2022, CJCs came under duties to prepare Strategic Development Plans and Regional Transport Plans. CJCs are also able to exercise an economic well-being power – that is, a power to do anything that will enhance or promote the economic well-being of their area.
The Welsh Government has always been clear, and as you will have heard me say in the Chamber on many occasions, outside these specified functions it will be for CJCs to come forward with proposals, should they want additional functions to be added.
The Welsh Government notes the report on Corporate Joint Committees published by Audit Wales on 14 November and welcomes the progress identified by each CJC. Whilst the report contains no recommendations for Welsh Ministers, we recognise the need to continue to support the ongoing implementation of CJCs. To this end, Ministerial colleagues and I plan to meet collectively with CJC Chairs and Vice Chairs regularly.