Welsh First Minister to Review Council Powers Amid Devolution Discussions

The Welsh government will undertake an examination of the powers held by Welsh councils and the mechanisms of regional cooperation between authorities, First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth announced. This initiative could result in new legislation following the next Welsh election, scheduled for 2030.

Ap Iorwerth's announcement comes ahead of a planned meeting with Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who has advocated for greater devolution of powers to local authorities within England. The Welsh First Minister stated that while he believes power should reside as close to the people as possible, he acknowledged that current Welsh arrangements are not ideal. He expressed a conviction that Wales should move toward a more streamlined and coherent system of local and regional governance, emphasizing that this vision cannot be imposed.

The review will involve a detailed assessment of where powers and specific competences should be situated, how regional working can be optimized, and what constitutes effective cooperation. A green paper is expected by the end of the current term, with the potential for new legislation to follow.

Ap Iorwerth also addressed the duplication of economic development efforts by the UK government, calling for an end to such overlaps. He described the current system in Wales as "confused" and "increasingly fragmented," with successive UK government programs layered onto devolved responsibilities, sometimes undermining them. Examples cited include city and growth deals, and projects funded by the UK government's leveling up and shared prosperity funds.

"If powers have been devolved, central government should not continue to duplicate them," ap Iorwerth stated, calling for a practical agreement on how the two governments can collaborate to enhance Wales' economic potential. He clarified that this does not mean abolishing existing city and growth deals but rather evaluating their effectiveness and exploring improvements.

The First Minister previously wrote to the Prime Minister advocating for Wales to receive powers comparable to those held by Scotland, including responsibilities for railways, policing, and justice. In response to questions about whether his current approach constituted a "quid pro quo" for seeking more powers and funding from the UK government, ap Iorwerth suggested he did not view it that way. He expressed interest in finding common ground with Prime Minister Burnham, noting his language around devolution, while also questioning if the UK government's devolution agenda was primarily England-focused and halted at the Welsh border.