Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015

Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015

Act of the National Assembly for Wales
National Assembly for Wales
Long title	An Act of the National Assembly for Wales to make provision requiring public bodies to do things in pursuit of the economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being of Wales in a way that accords with the sustainable development principle; to require public bodies to report on such action; to establish a Commissioner for Future Generations to advise and assist public bodies in doing things in accordance with this Act; to establish public services boards in local authority areas; to make provision requiring those boards to plan and take action in pursuit of economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being in their area; and for connected purposes.
Citation	2015 anaw 2
Introduced by	Jeff Cuthbert
Territorial extent	Wales
Dates
Royal assent	29 April 2015
Commencement	April 2016
Other legislation
Relates to	Government of Wales Act 2006
Status: Current legislation
History of passage through Parliament
Text of statute as originally enacted

The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 (anaw 2) (Welsh: Deddf Llesiant Cenedlaethau'r Dyfodol (Cymru) 2015) is an Act of the National Assembly for Wales that was given royal assent on 29 April 2015; it came into force in April 2016. It set out seven well-being goals: i) a prosperous Wales, ii) a resilient Wales, iii) a healthier Wales, iv) a more equal Wales, v) a Wales of cohesive communities, vi) a Wales of vibrant culture and thriving Welsh language and vii) a globally responsible Wales. A 'sustainable development principle' comprising five aspects is intended to assist in the delivery of the Act's goals and actions; i) long-term thinking, ii) prevention, iii) integration, iv) collaboration and v) involvement.

Application

A Welsh Government animated guide to the law

The Act places duties upon the following bodies operating within Wales:

• Welsh ministers
• local authorities
• local health boards
• Public Health Wales NHS Trust
• Velindre NHS Trust
• national park authorities
• fire and rescue authorities
• Natural Resources Wales
• The Higher Education Funding Council for Wales
• The Arts Council of Wales
• Sports Council of Wales
• National Library of Wales
• National Museum of Wales

Parts

The Act has five main parts and is supported by four schedules:

• Part 1: Introduction
• Part 2: Improving well-being
• Part 3: The Future Generations Commissioner for Wales
• Part 4: Public Services Boards
• Part 5: Final Provisions

Part 1 Introduction

Part 1 of the Act provides an overview.

Part 2 Improving well-being

This part of the Act sets out well-being objectives for Welsh ministers and a duty on public bodies to pursue them also. It describes how performance towards achieving the goals should be measured and provides guidance.

Part 3 The Future Generations Commissioner for Wales

Part 3 of the Act sets out the role of a Future Generations Commissioner which includes a duty to review and make recommendations and sets up a panel to advise the Commissioner. The first Commissioner was Sophie Howe, appointed in 2016 to be in post until 2023.

Part 4 Public Services Boards

Part 4 of the Act establishes public services boards and places a well-being duty upon them. It describes the preparation and review of local well-being plans.

Part 5 Final Provisions

Part 5 of the Act defines public bodies in the context of the legislation, and sets out regulations and other ancillary matters.

Schedule 1

Annual reports by other public bodies

Schedule 2

The Future Generations Commissioner for Wales

Schedule 3

Public Services Boards: Further provision

Schedule 5

Public Services Boards: Consequential amendments and repeals

See also

• List of acts and measures of Senedd Cymru

External links

• Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015