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When I became leader of the Welsh Local Government Association, I knew local government would always face challenges. What I could not have predicted was the scale, pace and complexity of the years that followed.To lead Welsh councils through one of the most turbulent periods in modern public service has been both the greatest privilege and the greatest responsibility of my political life.In recent years, councils across Wales have stood at the front line of national crises and community resilience.During the Covid-19 pandemic, local government became one of the principal delivery arms of the Welsh public sector response. Councils kept essential services running, protected vulnerable residents, supported businesses, helped deliver testing and vaccinations, and ensured communities continued to function in extraordinary circumstances.That period demonstrated something I have always known: councils are not simply service providers, they are the civic infrastructure that communities rely upon when everything else is under strain.The pandemic also revealed the strength of partnership working at its best. The relationship between local government and Welsh Government was tested in unprecedented ways, but it also matured. Shared purpose, regular dialogue and mutual respect were critical in navigating Wales through crises.That spirit of partnership continued beyond the pandemic. Through the Strategic Partnership Agreement and our wider engagement with Welsh Government, councils have played a central role in delivering national priorities while ensuring local flexibility. Whether on housing, social care or education, Welsh local government has shown it can be both a delivery partner and a strategic voice.This partnership matters because the pressures facing councils today are structural challenges that will define the next chapter of public service.Education remains one of our greatest responsibilities and one of our greatest pressures. Councils have worked relentlessly to support schools through disruption, recovery and reform. But the challenges facing education have evolved, from supporting attendance, addressing additional learning needs and responding to growing complexity in children's lives.Social care presents an even more profound challenge. Demand is rising, complexity is increasing and workforce pressures remain acute. Councils are deeply committed to delivering dignified care for older people, vulnerable adults and children, but the current model is under immense strain.The introduction of the real living wage for care workers was an important step, but recruitment, retention and long-term sustainability remain pressing concerns.Alongside this sits the reality of financial pressure. For more than a decade, councils have balanced rising demand with constrained resources. Even where settlements have improved, issues like inflation, pay pressures, demand and expanding statutory duties continue to outpace available funding.Local government has consistently adapted, innovated and delivered efficiencies, but there comes a point where resilience alone cannot close systemic gaps.As I prepare to step down, my message is clear: Welsh local government has proven its value time and again, but it now needs a future built on sustainability, not survival.The recent Senedd election marks a new political chapter, with a Plaid Cymru-led Welsh Government now setting the national direction.Early signs suggesting a desire to continue a strong partnership approach with local government are welcome. That matters enormously. The relationship between the Welsh Government and councils must remain rooted in trust, shared ambition and recognition that many national priorities are ultimately delivered locally.Whatever national political leadership looks like, councils need more than consultation after decisions have already been made. They need a meaningful partnership in shaping those decisions from the outset.The future challenges are significant: climate adaptation, housing needs and economic inequality. Local government will remain central to all of them. But councils cannot be expected to do more with less indefinitely. Sustainable funding, prevention-focused policy and genuine local flexibility must define the years ahead.ooking back, I am immensely proud of what Welsh councils have achieved through some of the hardest years in public service history. The next phase for Welsh local government must build on that record, not simply ask councils to carry more weightAndrew Morgan is leader of the Welsh Local Government Association

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WALES

Why Welsh councils need sustainability

By Andrew Morgan | 11 June 2026

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