In Wales we are doing things differently. We have a law in Wales that helps us all work together to improve our environment, our economy, our society, and our culture.

For people, for our planet. For now, and for our future.

This is called the Well-being of Future Generations Act 2015. 

Through the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 (‘the WFG Act’), Wales has set out seven ambitious well-being goals which establish a long-term vision for a sustainable Wales and describes sustainable development as the way in which these goals will be achieved. This is about meeting the needs of current generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

The Welsh Government is committed to leading Wales in achieving these well-being goals and changing the way that Wales works
so that sustainable development is the core principle guiding our actions to improve the well-being of people now and in the future.

To assist, support, and inspire this transformation, an independent Future Generations Commissioner for Wales (‘the Commissioner’) was established to provide advice and support on sustainable development and be an advocate for future generations.

Section 17 of the WFG Act establishes the office of the Future Generations Commissioner, an individual appointed by Welsh Ministers after consultation with the Senedd. The Commissioner is appointed for a period of 7 years. The Welsh Government provides the Commissioner a budget of £1.509 million per annum.

Summary of duties and powers
The general duty role of the Commissioner is to:
• Promote the sustainable development principle,
• Act as a guardian of the ability of future generations to meet their needs
• Encourage public bodies to take greater account of the long-term impact of their activities.
• Monitor and assess the meeting of the well-being objectives set by the public bodies subject to the WFG Act.

In carrying out the general duty the Commissioner may

• Provide advice or assistance to:
– A public body.
– A public services board (in relation to the preparation of its local well-being plan).
– Any other person that they believe is taking, or is seeking to take, action that may contribute to Wales’ well-being goals.

• Encourage best practice and promote awareness amongst public bodies to help ensure they meet their well-being objectives in a manner that is consistent with the sustainable development principle.

• Encourage public bodies to work with each other and with other persons if this could assist them in meeting their well-being objectives, sharing lessons learned and best practice.

• Promote awareness amongst public bodies of the need to take steps to meet their well-being objectives in accordance with the sustainable development principle.

• Conduct a review into the extent to which a public body is safeguarding the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

• Undertake research or study into the consistency of well-being goals and indicators with the sustainable development principle, the principle itself, and anything related to impacts on economic, social, environmental, and cultural well-being.

• Provide advice to the Auditor General for Wales on the sustainable development principle.

The Commissioner must:

• Prepare and publish a Future Generations Report 12 months before each Senedd election containing their assessment of the improvements public bodies should make to achieve the well-being goals. The Commissioner must consult a wide range of organisations and representatives in preparing the report.

• Prepare and publish an Annual Report which will include a summary of the actions taken by the Commissioner, an analysis of the effectiveness of that action, a summary of complaints received, and a forward work programme. The Annual Report may include the Commissioner’s assessment of the improvements that public bodies should make to meet their well-being objectives in accordance with the sustainable development principle.

• Have regard to the work of the Auditor General’s examinations when carrying out reviews and preparing a Future Generations Report

The Welsh Government acknowledges the importance of developing and growing bilingual capabilities in public appointments in Wales, and welcomes applications from candidates who demonstrate their capability to work in both English and Welsh.  The following list of language requirements represents an objective assessment by the recruiting body of the Welsh language skills required to undertake the duties of this particular post.

• Sound knowledge and understanding of sustainable development, its relevance to Wales and the challenges and opportunities that the Well-being of Future Generation Act presents.

• Proven leadership qualities and experience of successfully delivering or facilitating organisational and culture change in organisations.

• A well-developed ability to inspire confidence in a diverse range of stakeholders, to include skills in persuading, and positively influencing people at all levels, handling the media and wider public audiences.

• Experience of working with public bodies or similar organisations to support and encourage them to work in a more integrated way and/or look to the long term.

• Knowledge of, and track record of commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and practice in large and complex organisations.

• Strong financial, people management and governance experience.

• Ability to express complex issues simply and articulately and present evidence in a clear and compelling way.

• Proven knowledge of the political and public sector landscape in Wales.

• An understanding of the relative roles of public, private and third sector bodies and a commitment to Nolan’s Seven Principles of Public Life.

15/08/2022, 16:00