Involvement Strategy 2025-27
2. Legislative Requirements
Well-being of Future Generations Act 2015
Carmarthenshire County Council is dedicated to fostering a prosperous, resilient, and sustainable future for its communities, in line with the Well-Being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. This pioneering legislation sets the framework for public bodies to work in a way that promotes the long-term social, economic, environmental, and cultural well-being of Wales. The Act recognises that the decisions we make today must take into account the needs of future generations, ensuring that we leave a positive legacy for those who will inherit the outcomes of our actions.
At the heart of this legislation is the sustainable development principle, which calls on public bodies to consider the long-term implications of their decisions while seeking to prevent problems from arising. It encourages an approach that balances immediate needs with the future impacts of decisions, and it emphasises collaboration, integration, and inclusivity. This principle drives Carmarthenshire County Council’s approach to community engagement, ensuring that all voices are heard, particularly those who are often underrepresented or marginalised, and that the diverse needs of our residents are understood and reflected in our planning and service delivery.
This Involvement Strategy is rooted in the five ways of working outlined in the Act: long-term thinking, prevention, integration, collaboration, and involvement. It aims to provide a clear, structured approach to engagement that is open, inclusive, and transparent. By embedding these principles into our processes, we will create opportunities for meaningful dialogue with our residents, partners, and stakeholders. This will allow us to gather valuable insights and perspectives that inform and shape our policies, projects, and services, ensuring they are relevant and responsive to the evolving needs of our communities.
Effective involvement is essential for ensuring that public services are designed and delivered in a way that truly benefits those who use them. Through this framework, Carmarthenshire County Council reaffirms its commitment to involving people in the decisions that affect them, empowering communities to have a say in shaping their future. We are committed to ensuring that our practices are accessible and inclusive, using a wide range of methods to reach all parts of our community, including those who may face barriers to participation.
By actively listening and working in partnership with our communities, we can better understand the issues faced and identify solutions that work for everyone. This collaborative approach will help us to address complex challenges such as climate change, economic inequality and social exclusion, while ensuring that our actions are aligned with the Well-being Goals set out in the Act. These goals include creating a more equal, prosperous, and resilient Carmarthenshire, where people can lead healthier and more fulfilled lives, while safeguarding the environment and culture that make our county unique.
Section 5 of the Act states:
Involvement plays a vital role in the way public bodies should aim to work. The act states that public bodies must take into consideration the involvement of other individuals who have an interest in achieving the well-being objectives.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Act also highlights the need to ensure that the individuals who are involved must reflect the diversity of the population. This means that when making decisions, you must engage with people and communities whose well-being you are looking to improve. It is essential that people’s needs are taken into consideration whilst ensuring the engagement is effective and meaningful. In order to effectively engage with people and communities, Welsh Ministers strongly suggest that public bodies follow the National Principles of Public Engagement and the National Participation Standards for Children and Young People.
The Act also states that the public body should consider the profile of the people they serve which also involves the identification of relevant sections and representatives' groups. We will continue to build relationships with the third sector and with groups from across our communities to ensure that their voices are heard, in spaces and conversations where people feel safe to contribute.
Equality Act 2010
Under the Equality Act 2010 (Statutory Duties) (Wales) Regulations 2011, specified authorities are required to include people who are considered to represent the interest of one or more of the protected groups. Under the Equality Act 2010 there are 9 protected groups. These are:
• Age
• Gender reassignment
• Disability
• Pregnancy and maternity
• Sexual orientation
• Religion or belief
• Race
• Sex
• Marriage and Civil Partnership
Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014
The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 provides a legislative framework for care and support based on the principles of:
• Supporting people to achieve their own well-being.
• Putting people at the centre of their care and support and giving them a voice in terms of the support they receive.
• Involving people in the design and delivery of services.
• Developing services that help prevent, delay or reduce the need for care and support.
• Promoting not for profit delivery models.
• Collaboration across agencies in the provision of care and support.
• Promoting the integration of key services including services for older people with complex needs.
Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011
In Wales, the Welsh language should not be treated any less favourably than the English language. When carrying out engagement we must work in accordance with the requirements of the Welsh Language Standards. This includes the delivery of engagement bilingually. During consultations, we will seek the public’s views on any effects that decisions could have on the Welsh language and opportunities to use the Welsh language.
Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021
The Act places a duty on councils to encourage local people to participate in the council’s decision-making process. It also requires principal councils to prepare and publish a strategy specifying how it proposes to comply with its duties, including:
• how it intends to promote awareness of the council’s functions with the public;
• promoting how to become a member of the council or a related authority;
• facilitating greater access to information for members of the public; and
• providing ways for members of the public to make representations to principal councils.
In addition, the Act also places a duty on councils to engage with residents on the degree to which the Council is meeting its performance requirements.
Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales) Act 2023
The Act aims to improve the economic, social, cultural and environmental well-being of people in Wales by strengthening the role of social partnership within strategic decision-making. Involving both employers and workers in key discussions regarding improvements to well-being recognises and values the unique contribution and expertise brought by those directly engaged in public service delivery when addressing shared challenges and seeking innovative solutions. The Act seeks to promote cooperation, strengthen policy and improve outcomes, through dialogue between social partners, achieved in social partnership.