Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015
The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 (‘the Act’):
- sets a framework within which specified Welsh public authorities will seek to ensure the needs of the present are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (the sustainable development principle),
- puts into place well-being goals which those authorities are to seek to achieve in order to improve wellbeing both now and in the future,
- sets out how those authorities are to show they are working towards the well-being goals,
- puts Public Services Boards and local well-being plans on a statutory basis and, in doing so, simplifies current requirements as regards integrated community planning, and
- establishes a Future Generations Commissioner for Wales to be an advocate for future generations who will advise and support Welsh public authorities in carrying out their duties under the Bill.
The Explanatory Notes to the Act provide detailed commentary on the various provisions.
Coming into force
Sections 53 to 57 and any other necessary provisions to make regulations under the Act came into force on 30 April 2015, which is the day after the Act received Royal Assent, in accordance with section 56(1).
The other provisions of this Act come into force on a day appointed by the Welsh Ministers by order.
The following orders have been made:
- The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 (Commencement No. 2) Order 2016
- The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 (Commencement) Order 2015
Subordinate legislation made under the Act
| Title | Citation number | Made date | Coming into force date | Supporting documents |
| The Corporate Joint Committees (Amendment of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015) Regulations 2021 | 2021 No. 1360 (W. 356) | 1 December 2021 | 3 December 2021 | Explanatory Memorandum |
| The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 (Assessments of Local Well-being) Regulations 2017 | 2017 No. 939 (W. 232) | 19 September 2017 | 24 October 2017 | Explanatory Memorandum |
| The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 (Consequential Provisions) Regulations 2015 | 2015 No. 1924 (W. 287) | 17 November 2015 | 23 November 2015 | Explanatory Memorandum |
| The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 (Registrable Interests) Regulations 2015 | 2015 No. 1846 (W. 273) | 29 October 2015 | 23 November 2015 | Explanatory Memorandum |
Consideration of the legislation by the Senedd
The Bill was introduced on 7 July 2014 by Jeff Cuthbert AM, Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty. Following a change in ministerial portfolios in September 2014, the First Minister authorised Carl Sargeant AM, Minister for Natural Resources, as the new Member in Charge of the Bill, from 11 September 2014. The Act was passed by the Senedd (known then as the National Assembly for Wales) on 17 March 2015.
More information about the Bill is available on the Senedd’s website, including a record of the passage of the Bill through Senedd and the Explanatory Memorandum that was prepared by the Welsh Government (as amended at Stage 2).
The Act received Royal Assent on 29 April 2015.
Related articles and information
• Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015: the essentials | GOV.WALES