Consultation on scrutiny and political structures

Governance and Scrutiny of Local Government in Wales

Part II of the Local Government Act 2000 (the “2000 Act”) introduced different models for governance arrangements of local authorities in Wales, allowing councils to introduce one of three executive models (Mayor and Cabinet; Leader and Cabinet; or Mayor and Council Manager) or a “fourth option” of alternative arrangements where the council is headed by a politically balanced board.

The executive became responsible for most local authority functions, working within a policy framework set by the full council.  The 2000 Act also brought about the creation of overview and scrutiny committees, made up of non-executive (“backbench”) councillors, to scrutinise the work of the executive as well as reviewing policy within and without the council itself as they affected the local area.  

We have now entered an era, however, where public services in Wales have developed significantly from the circumstances which applied at the time of the 2000 Act; the introduction of the Making the Connections agenda, the Beecham review, Local Service Boards and regional cooperation amongst local authorities have changed the context in which local authorities and their partners work.

The Assembly Government considers that changes may be needed to the scrutiny and executive arrangements within local authorities to keep pace with policy developments.

The Local Democracy and Economic Development and Construction Act 2009

The Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 received Royal Assent in November 2009.  It includes provisions which confer on the National Assembly legislative competence with respect to scrutiny and governance matters in local government. The policy proposals set out in this consultation document flow from that competence and would be included in an Assembly Measure which the Assembly Government hopes to introduce to the Assembly in 2010.

Your views are invited on the proposals set out in the accompanying paper.