General principles of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Bill

The Environment and Sustainability Committee is undertaking an inquiry into the general principles of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Bill.

The terms of reference for the inquiry are:

To consider—

1.   How the Welsh Government should legislate to put sustainability and sustainable development at the heart of government and the wider public sector;

2.   The general principles of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Bill and the need for legislation in the following areas –

-       The “common aim” and “sustainable development principle” established in the Bill and the “public bodies” specified;

-       The approach to improving well-being, including setting of well-being goals, establishment of objectives by public bodies and the duties imposed on public bodies;

-       The approach to measuring progress towards achieving well-being goals and reporting on progress;

-       The establishment of a Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, the Commissioner’s role, powers, responsibility, governance and accountability; and

-       The establishment of statutory Public Services Boards, assessments of local Well-being and development / implementation of local well-being plans.

3.   How effectively the Bill addresses Welsh international obligations in relation to sustainable development;

4.   Any potential barriers to the implementation of these provisions and whether the Bill takes account of them;

5.   Whether there are any unintended consequences arising from the Bill;

6.   The financial implications of the Bill (as set out in Part 2 of the Explanatory Memorandum and Regulatory Impact Assessment; which estimates the costs and benefits of implementation of the Bill); and

7.   the appropriateness of the powers in the Bill for Welsh Ministers to make subordinate legislation (as set out in Chapter 5 of Part 1 of the Explanatory Memorandum, which contains a table summarising the powers for Welsh Ministers to make subordinate legislation).

Invitation to contribute to the inquiry

The Committee welcomes evidence from both individuals and organisations. 

We will be holding oral evidence sessions during the autumn term 2014 so it would be helpful if you could indicate in your submission whether you would be prepared to give oral evidence, if invited. 

Generally, we ask for submissions to be made in writing because it is normal practice for the National Assembly to publish evidence provided to a Committee on our internet site so that it becomes part of the public record. Please let us know if you have any objections to our publishing your evidence.  We are also able to accept evidence in audio or video format. 

The Committee welcomes contributions in English or Welsh, and we ask organisations with Welsh Language policies / schemes to provide bilingual responses, where applicable, in line with their public information policies. 

If you wish to submit evidence, please send an electronic copy of your submission to: ES.Comm@wales.gov.uk

Alternatively, you can write to:

Committee Clerk

Environment and Sustainability Committee

National Assembly for Wales

Cardiff Bay, CF99 1NA.

Submissions should arrive by 5 September 2014 and should preferably be no longer than six pages of A4, have numbered paragraphs and in a word format. It may not be possible to take into account responses received after this date.

Disclosure of Information

You can find details about how we will use your information at http://www.assemblywales.org/help/privacy/help-inquiry-privacy.htm. Please ensure that you have considered these details carefully before submitting information to the Committee.