Agenda item

We received the Monmouthshire Well-being Plan and were provided with information regarding the objectives being developed by the Monmouthshire Public Service Board (PSB) to ensure that communities in the area have the opportunity to participate in the development of the plan.

The Committee was informed that the Well-being of Future Generations Act aims to ensure that public bodies think more about the long term, work better with people and communities and each other, look to prevent problems and take a more joined-up approach.  Each PSB must prepare and publish a local well-being plan setting out its local objectives and the steps it proposes to take to meet them.  This needs to be published no later than one year after the previous county council election.

The plan must describe how the board will improve the economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being of the county by setting local objectives which maximise its contribution to the seven national well-being goals. 

The Act places a duty on community and town councils with income or expenditure over £200,000 a year to take all reasonable steps towards meeting the local objectives included in the local well-being plan that has effect in their areas.  If a community or town council is subject to the duty, it must publish a report annually detailing its progress in meeting the objectives contained in the local well-being plan. Those not legally subject to The Act are still encouraged to consider what contribution they may be able to make towards meeting the local objectives adopted for their areas.

Work completed between April and July 2017 resulted in the PSB adopting four draft well-being objectives. These are based on the well-being assessment that was carried out between August and December 2016. 

The PSB will be asked to endorse the plan when it meets on 8^th November 2017 prior to a 12 week public consultation that will begin the week commencing 13^th November 2017.

Having received the report, the following points were noted:

·         The Act takes into account what is happening at a community level. Some views might have an area focus to them allowing the Area Committees to play a part.

·         Some aspects might be complex and cross cutting resulting in all PSB’s working together on certain issues.

·         It is important to ensure that the communities are heard and that they play an important role.

·         Abergavenny Town Council is preparing its plan which incorporates the five wards.  This forum will aid in this process.

·         Llanelly Community Council will commence preparing its plan in January 2018. Workshops will be held with a view to it being a community led Plan.

·         It was considered that the majority of Monmouthshire residents were more interested in what happens at a local level rather that the larger issues affecting the County as a whole.  However, it was noted that the Well-being Plan was forward thinking legislation and that whilst the day to day local issues needed to be managed, there was also a need to manage and develop solutions for the future of Monmouthshire.

We resolved to receive the report and noted its content.