As councils begin to consider the UK Budget, conversations inevitably focus on numbers. But behind every figure are people, and how we choose to make decisions together matters just as much as the sums themselves. That principle sits at the heart of how we work in Wales.
In Wales, partnership isn’t a slogan; it’s how we get things done. Collaboration between employers, trade unions, and government has long shaped how our public services run. It’s what we call the Welsh Way: an approach built on trust, respect and a shared belief that progress comes from working together.
My background in the trade union movement, alongside my role in local government, has shown me both sides of that relationship. It has also convinced me that lasting improvement doesn’t come from conflict but from listening and finding common ground. When we involve everyone in shaping solutions, we make better decisions and build stronger services.
Social partnership doesn’t mean avoiding disagreement. It’s about recognising where views differ and creating space to work through them constructively.
That spirit of cooperation has a firm footing in law through the Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales) Act 2023, which requires public bodies to involve trade unions in strategic decisions. It was reflected recently at Cardiff Castle, where the National Joint Council for Fire and Rescue Services met in Wales to share experiences and celebrate the strength of our collective approach.
As councils assess the impact of the Budget, this approach matters more than ever. Social partnership gives local government the means to talk openly about how funding decisions shape daily life in our care homes, schools, and waste services.
It allows employers, unions and government to anticipate where pressures will fall, share evidence, and work through options before decisions are finalised. In difficult fiscal times, honest dialogue becomes a form of protection for services and the people who deliver them.
Partnership working has clear benefits. It builds stronger relationships between employers and employees, supports fair decision-making, and helps services adapt to change. When money is tight, it also helps councils and their workforce find practical solutions, like redesigning services, sharing expertise, and protecting the most essential local support.
We have seen this in practice. Constructive dialogue between councils, unions and the Welsh Government helped manage pressures during the pandemic and continues to shape changes in areas like social care.
In our Fire and Rescue Services, social partnership is central to responding to recent culture reviews by creating open conversations about leadership, equality and respect.
The Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA), which represents all 22 councils in Wales, plays a central role in developing and promoting social partnership across public services. Through its Partnership Agreement with the Welsh Government, the WLGA helps ensure that local and national government work together to address shared challenges and strengthen the delivery of local services.
Social partnership is not perfect; It takes time, honesty and patience. But when it works, everyone benefits: the workforce, the services, and the communities we all serve.
As the UK and Welsh budgets are debated, this mindset can help us navigate tough choices together. The Welsh Way is, at its heart, about people: how we treat one another, how we share responsibility, and how we shape fairer and more resilient public services for Wales.