Written Statement: Summary of responses to the consultation on the additional public bodies subject to the well-being duty (Part 2) of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015

Today I am publishing a summary of responses to the consultation on the eight additional public bodies proposed to be subject to the well-being duty (Part 2) of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 (the WFG Act).

The consultation found that respondents supported the proposals to extend the well-being duty to the eight devolved public bides listed in the consultation. The proposed addition of these public bodies is widely seen as a timely and welcome move which would strengthen the sustainable development architecture in Wales and benefit the Welsh language. In several areas further clarity or detailed information was sought.

The main areas which have emerged from the consultation are:

• Provide more detail and clarity on how the Welsh Government undertook its review of public bodies which identified the eight public bodies proposed to be subject to the WFG Act’s well-being duty, as outlined in the consultation.
• Continue the provision and signposting of guidance and resources.
• Continue the facilitation of knowledge exchange between bodies subject to the well-being duty.
• Provide stronger emphasis of, and signposting to, support networks for bodies subject to the well-being duty.
• Undertake further examination of the likely resource implications of extending the well-being duty to the proposed public bodies and other key partners.
• Provide more detail on the roles of the key organisations and partnerships, including the Welsh Government and the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, and the support they offer bodies subject to the well-being duty

The Welsh Government will take into account all the consultation responses received in reviewing and finalising the approach to extending the well-being duty. I will update members following this work.

The summary of responses is available in the Additional public bodies subject to the well-being duty (Part 2) of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 : Consultation Summary Report. 

All of these responses, together with our ongoing direct engagement with the proposed additional bodies, the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, and Audit Wales will be considered as we progress our plans to extend the well-being duty (Part 2) of the WFG Act. We will continue to work with the bodies, the Commissioner and Audit Wales to understand the potential cost implications of these proposals, and to find ways to share the learning from those who have been subject to the WFG Act since 2016.

To help prepare the proposed additional bodies, we have brought together public bodies, the Commissioner, and Audit Wales to share knowledge and experience of using the WFG Act. This has demonstrated the benefit of convening and connecting organisations working together for Wales and learning how to better apply the WFG Act.

This review is taking place alongside the Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales) Bill, introduced in the Senedd in June 2022, and currently undergoing the scrutiny process. The Bill provides for a framework to enhance the well-being of the people of Wales by improving public services through social partnership working, promoting fair work, and carrying out socially responsible procurement. The bodies that will be subject to the proposed social partnership duty will mirror the list of bodies subject to the well-being duty listed in section 6 of the WFG Act.