Written - Response of the Welsh Assembly Government to the Scrutiny and Political Structures consultation exercise

Section 33 of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 conferred on the National Assembly for Wales legislative competence in respect of scrutiny and governance arrangements in local government.  In December 2009 we published a consultation paper on the policy issues in these areas which would inform the development of a Local Government Measure, which was announced as part of the Welsh Assembly Government’s Legislative Programme.

The consultation closed in March 2010; 42 responses were received and an analysis of the responses was published on the Welsh Assembly Government’s website. 

The respondents were broadly supportive of the proposals and I am grateful to those who took the time to respond. The responses represented the views of local authorities, other public sector bodies, academic institutions, the third sector and individuals.

The key themes which emerged from the consultation included:

• All the respondents were aware of the importance of local authorities working collaboratively with other public sectors partners to improve scrutiny. The opinion was expressed by a majority of respondents and across all sectors that the health sector needed eventually to be incorporated into any external scrutiny across the public sector at local level.
• For any new duties and powers introduced into the scrutiny process to be successfully integrated, detailed guidance is needed. Agreed protocols also need to be developed in undertaking scrutiny with other bodies.
• Local authorities valued having the flexibility to choose the governance arrangements that suited their local circumstances.

The Assembly Government, in considering the complementary roles of the Community Health Councils and the local authority in health scrutiny, is mindful of the potential duplication of scrutiny activities and the possible burden on Local Health Boards.  We hope to see initiatives developed between local authorities, community health councils and Local Health Boards which could result in more effective scrutiny before considering if legislation is needed in this area.

There is a balance to be struck between preserving local discretion and choice in the political structures and governance arrangements and ensuring that robust, transparent and accountable arrangements are in place across Wales for the benefit of all citizens.   The Welsh Assembly Government is committed to strengthening the role of scrutiny and to confer on local authorities new enabling powers to do this.

The response to this consultation will inform the development of the proposed Local Government Measure, which we are intending to bring forward shortly.