Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015
Wales-only statute requiring public bodies to act in accordance with the sustainable development principle and to set well-being objectives aligned with the seven national well-being goals. Includes the role of the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales and the five ways of working.
تعارف
The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 is unique in UK and international law. Passed by the National Assembly for Wales (now Senedd Cymru), it imposes a statutory duty on listed 'public bodies' in Wales to carry out sustainable development — defined as the process of improving the economic, social, environmental, and cultural well-being of Wales by taking action in accordance with the 'sustainable development principle' — and to set and publish well-being objectives that maximise their contribution to the seven national well-being goals. The Act is given practical force through the office of the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, an independent statutory office-holder appointed for a non-renewable seven-year term, who acts as a guardian of the interests of future generations. The five 'ways of working' (long term, integration, involvement, collaboration, prevention) are the operating principles by which the sustainable development principle is implemented. The seven well-being goals are: A prosperous Wales; A resilient Wales; A healthier Wales; A more equal Wales; A Wales of cohesive communities; A Wales of vibrant culture and thriving Welsh language; A globally responsible Wales. Public Services Boards in each local authority area must produce a local well-being assessment and a Local Well-being Plan. The Auditor General for Wales reviews well-being compliance under section 15. The 2020 'Future Generations Report' marked the five-year statutory review.
In Brief
The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 is a Wales-only statute requiring 44 listed public bodies to act in accordance with the sustainable development principle, to set well-being objectives aligned with the seven national well-being goals, and to apply the five 'ways of working' (long term, integration, involvement, collaboration, prevention). An independent Future Generations Commissioner for Wales (seven-year non-renewable term) monitors compliance, and the Auditor General reviews under section 15. Public Services Boards produce Local Well-being Plans every five years.
بنیادی اصول
Sustainable Development Principle (s.5(1)) — public bodies 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.
Seven well-being goals (s.4) — A prosperous Wales; A resilient Wales; A healthier Wales; A more equal Wales; A Wales of cohesive communities; A Wales of vibrant culture and thriving Welsh language; A globally responsible Wales.
Five ways of working (s.5(2)) — Long term (considering long-term + short-term); Prevention (acting to prevent problems occurring or getting worse); Integration (impact on all 7 goals + on other bodies' objectives); Collaboration (with others to meet objectives); Involvement (involving people interested in achieving well-being).
Public Bodies (s.6 + Schedule) — applies to the Welsh Ministers, local authorities, local health boards, NHS Trusts in Wales, Public Health Wales, Natural Resources Wales, the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales, Sport Wales, the Arts Council of Wales, the National Library of Wales, the National Museum Wales — about 44 bodies.
Well-being objectives (s.7) — each public body must set and publish 'well-being objectives' designed to maximise its contribution to the seven goals.
Future Generations Commissioner (s.17) — independent statutory office; promotes and monitors compliance; non-renewable seven-year term. Sophie Howe held the post 2016-2023; Derek Walker is the current Commissioner.
Public Services Boards (s.29) — every local authority area must have a PSB, comprising the council, health board, fire-and-rescue, and Natural Resources Wales (plus invited partners). Must publish a Local Well-being Plan every five years.
Auditor General review (s.15) — the Auditor General for Wales examines the extent to which public bodies have acted in accordance with the sustainable development principle.
اہم قوانین
Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015
Environment (Wales) Act 2016
Government of Wales Act 2006
اہم مقدمات
R (Friends of the Earth) v Welsh Government (re M4 relief road)
[2019] (Welsh Ministers' decision overturning planning inspector — invoking the Act)
Howe (Future Generations Commissioner) v Welsh Ministers (re road-building programme)
2021 review under the Act
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the seven well-being goals?
Set out in section 4 of the Act: (1) A prosperous Wales — innovative, productive, low-carbon; (2) A resilient Wales — biodiverse, healthy ecosystems; (3) A healthier Wales — maximised physical and mental well-being; (4) A more equal Wales — people fulfilling their potential regardless of background; (5) A Wales of cohesive communities — safe and well-connected; (6) A Wales of vibrant culture and thriving Welsh language; (7) A globally responsible Wales — taking account of impact on global well-being.
Which bodies does the Act apply to?
Section 6 and the Schedule list 44 'public bodies': the Welsh Ministers, all 22 Welsh local authorities, the seven Welsh local health boards, NHS Trusts in Wales, Public Health Wales, Natural Resources Wales, the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales, Sport Wales, the Arts Council of Wales, the National Library of Wales, the National Museum Wales, Cwmni Benthyciadau Myfyrwyr Cymru, the Welsh Language Commissioner, and other listed bodies. UK Government departments operating in Wales are NOT covered.
Who is the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales?
An independent statutory office-holder established under section 17. The Commissioner is appointed by the First Minister with the support of the Senedd for a single non-renewable seven-year term. The Commissioner's role is to promote the sustainable development principle, advise public bodies, and monitor and report on compliance. Sophie Howe held the post from 2016 to 2023; Derek Walker is the current Commissioner (from February 2023). The Commissioner has annual review powers under section 20 and can publish a 'Future Generations Report' every five years.
How is the Act enforced?
Not through direct litigation. The Act does NOT create individual rights enforceable in court. Enforcement is through (a) the Future Generations Commissioner's recommendations and reports under sections 18-23; (b) the Auditor General for Wales's examinations under section 15; (c) Senedd scrutiny. Public bodies can be subject to judicial review on the conventional grounds — but the Act sets no new private cause of action. The framework is essentially institutional and advisory.
Has the Act influenced major decisions in Wales?
Yes. The most prominent example is the 2019 decision by then-First Minister Mark Drakeford to overturn the planning inspector's recommendation and refuse the M4 relief road around Newport, citing the Act's well-being goals (climate and environmental impact, intergenerational equity). The 2021 review of the all-Wales road-building programme by the Commissioner also led to the rejection of multiple road schemes. The Act has been internationally influential — Scotland, New Zealand, and other jurisdictions have studied it as a model.
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