The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act

You may have heard of the ‘Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act, but what is it all about?

In a nutshell, it is about improving the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of the people of Wales.

As a result of the Act, a total of 44 public bodies across Wales, Caerphilly County Borough Council included, must in future think more about the long-term, work better with local people and communities and each other, look to prevent problems and take a more joined up approach.

This, it is hoped, will help create a Wales that we all want to live in, now and in the future.

The Welsh Government has produced a short animation, explaining the impact the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act will have:

The seven well-being goals

To make sure each of the 44 public bodies are working towards the same vision, the Act puts in place seven well-being goals:

The Act also puts in place a ‘sustainable development principle’, which tells the 44 different organisations how to go about meeting their duty under the Act. Doing something ‘in accordance with the sustainable development principle’ means that the body must act in a manner which seeks to ensure that the needs of the present are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Public bodies also need to make sure that when making decisions, they take into account the impact they could have on people living their lives in Wales in the future.

Five ways of working

There are five things that public bodies need to think about to show that they have applied the ‘sustainable development principle’. 

Long Term - The importance of balancing short-term needs with the need to safeguard the ability to also meet long-term needs.

Prevention - How acting to prevent problems occurring or getting worse may help public bodies meet their objectives.

Integration - Considering how the public body’s well-being objectives may impact upon each of the well-being goals, on their other objectives, or on the objectives of other public bodies.

Collaboration - Acting in collaboration with any other person (or different parts of the body itself) that could help the body to meet its well-being objectives.

Involvement - The importance of involving people with an interest in achieving the well-being goals, and ensuring that those people reflect the diversity of the area which the body serves.

Which public bodies does the Act include?

• 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

Where can I find more about the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act?

A summary of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act can be found here in a useful booklet called ‘The Essentials' (PDF)

More information on the Act can be found on the Welsh Government website.

Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act (PDF)