Statement: The Local Government White Paper

14:47
Janet Finch-Saunders
Today’s White Paper is one that touches on many of the fundamentals facing local government in Wales and comes during a period of huge uncertainty for those employed in and charged with running our authorities across Wales. If implemented, I actually do welcome many of the proposals, and they’re not before time. The White Paper talks about delivering a new deal for local government and recasting the relationship between Welsh Government and local government, and I know many authorities will not disagree with those principles; it is certainly very long overdue. However, after last week’s u-turn by yourself in terms of the voluntary merger process and the First Minister’s vague response, there is no doubt now a current ethos and a lack of trust, confidence and respect for this Welsh Government in this regard and so you have got to overcome those.

Over many years, we have seen so many reforms, diktat and bureaucracy thrown in the direction of our local authorities in Wales by the Welsh Labour Government, leaving many feeling that it was more about justifying their own existence as a Government and the Minister rather than being seen as to be leading, guiding and working with our local authorities in the main. This has culminated in the need for a massive and swift change of direction if those very valuable, vital services, so often required for some of the most vulnerable, are to be realised and protected. There is much rhetoric about the need to reduce the cost of politics and management in local government, to include the remuneration of councillors, leaders and cabinet members, in line with other parts of the UK, and we cannot argue with that. Tough talk on the remuneration and appointment of chief executives and other senior officers—I don’t argue with that. I would ask the Minister for some commitment that you will eradicate the constant internal recruitment process so often rife within local authorities.
Of course, it was the Welsh Conservatives who tabled amendments in this vein for the independent remuneration panel to cover all senior officers, because some of the senior officer pay is eye-watering across Wales. But it was sad that, at that time, and it was not that long ago—certainly in this term—it was voted down by Welsh Labour, Plaid Cymru and the Liberal Democrats here—

14:49
Presiding Officer
Order. I’m sorry, can we stick to the report that’s before us today and come to some questions?

14:49
Janet Finch-Saunders
Yes. Better late than never, as they say, but, given the financial challenge we face, it did not require a new White Paper, it needed strong leadership. Mention of the public services staff commission persuades me to ask the Minister for his absolute assurance that the appointment to this commission will be fair, transparent and equitable and will not be driven by individuals within Welsh Labour in some other guise? There are many good people working in public bodies across Wales of all colours and none. True diversity must form the basis for any such commission.

I’m particularly keen that this White Paper addresses the need for greater diversity within our local authorities, because it is a fact that local government resonates with the wider public much more than the Welsh Government itself, and it is essential that all views, beliefs and backgrounds are represented at both officer and member level.
Now, independents, Minister: I’d like you to go one stage further. Currently, if an independent is elected to some local authorities, they are only allowed to sit on council; they cannot actually be part of any committee unless they join a registered political party. So, some authorities get round this by having an independent political party of that particular authority. I reckon that’s misleading the electorate, if they stand as an independent and then become part of another political party.
I certainly relish the direction of travel as regards the community rights agenda, and, again, it proves just how well the Localism Act 2011 is working in the UK.
The pay in terms of chief executives: currently there are the policy pay statements in place, which should be implemented and led by yourselves more.
The White Paper mentions transparency and the use of digital technology and how that should contribute to better public engagement—Monmouthshire County Council being a great example of that already happening.
And then finally, Minister, the complaints process, online or otherwise: we want to see a complaints process that, again, is transparent, is accountable and that actually does recognise the complaints brought by members of the community at the time. Thank you and I really look forward, with my group, to scrutinising this Bill.

14:52
Leighton Andrews
Well, Llywydd, I don’t think the opposition spokesperson disagreed with anything I said, which must be a first and also worries me slightly, I must admit.
Let me just run through some of the issues that were raised in her contribution. She welcomed the new deal and the recasting of the relationship with local government. I thank her for that.
She welcomed what we’re saying in respect of the review of remuneration of councillors, cabinet members and also chief officers. She made the case for the external recruitment of chief officers, and certainly the proposals we outline in respect of a potential staff appointments commission would address those issues. I can tell her that there will be an open appointment process to the statutory public services staff commission when that is established.
She supported what we’re doing on diversity, and I welcome that. And I don’t disagree with her in respect of what she had to say about complaints, and I think there is good practice in Welsh public service, not least in parts of the health service, that we can learn from in respect of that.
She had some observations on independents as members of groups and I’m not sure I was entirely in accord with her. But I think the actions that we want to take to ensure that anybody who stands for election and declares themselves as an independent should have to declare if they hold any party affiliation would do much, I think, to strengthen transparency across local government in Wales.
So, I’m very pleased to have her support for the programme that we’ve outlined as a Government, and I look forward to her voting for it in every particular.