Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act

The Well Being of Future Generations (Wales) Act (2015)(external website) is an exciting opportunity for public bodies in Wales to work together to improve the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of Wales. It requires that we think more about the long-term consequences of our decisions, and look to prevent problems before they occur.

Purpose of the Act

Watch this short video (external website) from the Welsh Government. It describes the purpose of the Act, and how it should benefit the people of Wales in the future.

Key elements of the Act

More information can also be found by reading this Essentials Guide (external website). Of particular note are the seven national well-being goals, and five Sustainable Development principles that we must use in our work.

What is Denbighshire County Council doing?

Since the introduction of the Act in early 2016, we have been working together with partners to create a Well-being Assessment of our local area, which you can read online at the Conwy and Denbighshire Public Services Board (external website).

We are required as public bodies to review our Well-being Objectives every year – these Objectives form the basis of our Corporate Plan. If you feel that you have something to contribute to the assessment or our Corporate Plan, please let us know at strategicplanningteam@denbighshire.gov.uk.

The Council has embedded the five sustainable development principles into our planning and decision-making processes to ensure they are part of our business-as-usual. 

Impact of the Act outside of the Council

This Act has implications beyond Denbighshire County Council too. Legally we will form part of a local Public Service Board (PSB), which will also feature Natural Resources Wales, Fire & Rescue, and Health, plus other public bodies that the PSB chooses to invite (and who accept the invitation). It is a legal requirement that this Board produces a Well-being Assessment of the local area, on which it bases its own Well-being Plan. This PSB Well-being Plan must spell out what the Board's organisations will do collaboratively to meet the national well-being goals. Each individual organisation must then produce its own Well-being Plan, spelling out what it will do to contribute to the well-being goals within its area of expertise.

More information on the Act can be found by visiting the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales website (external website). If you've any questions about what Denbighshire County Council is doing about the Act, email strategicplanningteam@denbighshire.gov.uk.