The Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA), in collaboration with the Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP), has established a working group which includes elected leaders and chief executives of Welsh local authorities, along with independent experts, to develop a clear vision and set of proposals that can support a sustainable future for local government in Wales.

Evidence gathered by the WCPP supports the widely-held view that the current model for local government in Wales is unsustainable and that, a new, longer-term vision is essential if local authorities are  to continue to play a critical role in understanding and responding to the needs of their communities.

The Group will be chaired by former WCPP Director Professor Steve Martin and the includes Max Caller CBE, Lead Commissioner of Birmingham City Council as an independent member. Mr Caller is an experienced local authority chief executive who has played a pivotal role in supporting the turnaround in fortunes of several councils. As part of its leadership of the group, WCPP will provide the most up-to-date and relevant evidence to inform the work of the group and generate strategic discussion between the local government actors and independent experts.

Despite recent increases in the funding allocated to local government, budgetary pressures following the cost-of-living crisis; Covid; and increasing demand for services like social care mean that many councils are having to cut or pause many non-essential services – and the current fiscal and political environment means that further significant increases in funding are unlikely. The Group will look holistically at the major issues facing local government including its functions, structures, accountability, governance, finance and culture, and the vision and proposals it develops will address these.

Dan Bristow, Director of the Wales Centre for Public Policy said: “The WCPP supports policy makers at national and local level to help them tackle major policy challenges by providing them with independent evidence and expertise and convening strategic conversations that can help identify effective policy responses and solutions. We will bring this experience and strategic perspective to the group and we are looking forward to working collaboratively to find a shared vision for local authorities in Wales.”

Councillor Andrew Morgan OBE, Leader of the WLGA said:

“We appreciate the ongoing support from both the Welsh Government and UK Government for public services, but we can’t ignore the reality of the pressures we face. Years of cuts and underinvestment have left the sector in a challenging position. If we are to continue delivering for our communities, it’s crucial that we face these challenges head-on and work towards long-term, sustainable solutions. This group offers us the opportunity to take control of our future and ensure a strong and resilient public services sector in Wales.”

Professor Steve Martin is looking forward to chairing the Working Group. He added: “Local government is the heartbeat of communities throughout Wales. Increased financial, environmental and social pressures have made it harder for councils to deliver services – but also made those services more critical to many of those citizens and community groups that rely on them.

“As chair of the Group, I’m delighted to support key figures from Welsh local government to come together with WCPP colleagues to try to develop a common vision and practical proposals that will, we hope, help councils address the formidable challenges they are facing.”

The group will meet regularly throughout this year with the aim of completing a set of proposals for consideration ahead of the Senedd elections in May 2026. All the Group’s output will be published on the WCPP website.

Working Group* members:

• Professor Steve Martin, Cardiff University (Chair)
• Cllr Mary Ann Brocklesby, Leader, Monmouthshire County Council
• Cllr Darren Price, Leader, Carmarthenshire County Council
• Rob Thomas, Chief Executive Officer, Vale of Glamorgan Council
• Eifion Evans, Chief Executive Officer, Ceredigion County Council
• Emma Palmer, Chief Executive Officer, Powys County Council
• Martin Nicholls, Chief Executive Officer, Swansea Council
• Max Caller CBE, Lead Commissioner, Birmingham City Council
• Simon Brindle, Director of Continuous Improvement, Welsh Government (Observer)
• Paula Walters, Interim Head of Corporate Policy and Services, WLGA (Observer)

Secretariat and support function:

• Professor Dan Bristow, Director, Wales Centre for Public Policy
• Dr Helen Tilley, Senior Research Fellow, Wales Centre for Public Policy
• Dr Jack Price, Research Associate, Wales Centre for Public Policy
• Ioana Filipas, Research Apprentice, Wales Centre for Public Policy

*The full name of the working group is the Independent Working Group on Sustainable Local Government for the Future