Lesley Griffiths AM, Minister for Local Government and Government Business
This was published under the 2011 to 2016 administration of the Welsh Government
Our vision for public services, as set out in our strategic framework 'Working Together for Wales - A Strategic Framework for the Public Service Workforce in Wales’ is one built on trust, where every employee is empowered to be a leader and influence how public services work.
Building on this vision, the Welsh Government has today published a consultation document “Supporting our Public Service Workforce through Collective Leadership and Legislation: Consultation on the Draft Public Services (Workforce) (Wales) Bill”.
The focus of the consultation is on the provision of specific statutory authority for the Welsh Ministers to issue guidance on workforce matters.
It is anticipated this power would be used, in particular to support agreements reached at the Workforce Partnership Council. Such agreements may cover the identification of best practice on workforce matters, enabling successful collaboration and service integration or in respect of other workforce matters which, in turn, lead to improved public services.
Reflecting the importance of collective leadership on workforce matters and the potential use of the power provided for by the Draft Public Services (Workforce) (Wales) Bill, the consultation is also seeking views on options for reinforcing the role of the Workforce Partnership Council. Specifically, it is seeking views on amending the statutory Local Government Scheme to support public sector employers to work in social partnership with trade unions and to recognise the role of the Workforce Partnership Council in reaching agreement on public service workforce issues.
The consultation document can be accessed at:
http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/improving/supporting-public-service-workforce/?lang=en
I look forward to considering the consultation responses which are sought by 21 February 2014.