Key Points
- In the wake of the First Minister’s speech on devolution in Wales, the Corporate Joint Committees (CJCs) of South Wales have found a chance to hold a new debate on the subject of decentralisation and economic opportunity.
- The Chairs of the Cardiff Capital Region CJC, Cllr Mary Ann Brocklesby, and the South West Region CJC, Cllr Rob Stewart, jointly issued a statement pointing out that devolution must not end in Cardiff Bay.
- Local officials highlighted the need to create a unique “Welsh Way” combining national aspiration, regional scale, and democratic local leadership rather than transplanting foreign examples.
- According to WLGA Leader Cllr Anthony Hunt, regional cooperation must help but not undermine local government in the effort to grow the Welsh economy and create jobs.
- Officials made it clear that the true test of devolution success lies in its delivery locally, better public services, increased connectivity, and improved living standards for the people of Wales.
Cardiff (Cardiff Daily) October 20, 2026 – South Wales’ Corporate Joint Committees (CJCs) have formally welcomed the prospect of a renewed national conversation regarding devolution, following a major address delivered by the First Minister. Regional leaders across South Wales have emphasised that decentralising power closer to local communities remains vital for unlocking economic potential, improving public services, and fostering regional growth through a uniquely collaborative ‘Welsh Way’.
Why Do Regional Leaders Believe Devolution Must Go Beyond Cardiff Bay?
As reported by the editorial desk of Cardiff Daily, Cardiff Capital Region Chair, Cllr Mary Ann Brocklesby, and South West Region CJC Chair, Cllr Rob Stewart, responded positively to the First Minister’s outline of the next stage of devolution in Wales.
In their joint statement, Cllr Mary Ann Brocklesby and Cllr Rob Stewart stated:
“We welcome the First Minister setting out his vision for the next stage of devolution in Wales. For us, the important question is not simply where power sits, but what we can achieve with it for the people and communities we serve.”
The regional chairs further noted that this momentum aligns closely with the Prime Minister’s wider ambitions regarding the rewiring of Britain. Emphasising the need for expanded decentralisation, Cllr Mary Ann Brocklesby and Cllr Rob Stewart added:
“This fits in with the Prime Minister’s ambitions on devolution and rewiring Britain. We believe devolution should not stop at Cardiff Bay, and all three levels of Government in Wales have an opportunity to move forwards together, devolving power closer to the people.”
What Is Meant by the ‘Welsh Way’ in Future Governance?
Addressing the structural framework of future regional governance, local leaders have argued against adopting external governance models verbatim, advocating instead for a home-grown approach tailored specifically to Welsh institutions and economic geography.
According to the joint statement released by Cllr Mary Ann Brocklesby and Cllr Rob Stewart:
“Wales should learn from experience elsewhere, but we should not simply import somebody else’s model. We have our own institutions, traditions and economic geography. We have the opportunity to develop a ‘Welsh Way’, connecting national ambition with regional scale and the knowledge and democratic leadership of local government.”
Highlighting recent developments across other parts of the United Kingdom, Cllr Mary Ann Brocklesby and Cllr Rob Stewart remarked:
“Given the announcements made by the PM in recent weeks about increased innovation powers to English Combined Authorities and early signs of regional economic empowerment in Scotland, the opportunity is now and the pace matters. We will work positively with the Welsh Government to ensure the process of designing the future, does not delay the opportunity to deliver it.”
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How Will Regional Working Impact Local Government and Public Services?
As detailed by the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA), regional collaboration serves as a crucial catalyst for uniting councils, academic institutions, and investors, provided it actively reinforces local authorities rather than competing with them.
WLGA Leader, Cllr Anthony Hunt, stated:
“Regional working can play an important part in that. It brings together councils, businesses, universities, public bodies and investors at a scale that can unlock opportunities no single organisation can deliver alone. But regionalism should strengthen local government, not weaken or compete with it.”
Expanding on the tangible outcomes expected from governance reform, Cllr Anthony Hunt noted:
“The prize is a stronger Welsh economy, better connectivity, more investment, innovation and good, high-skilled jobs across all parts of Wales. Ultimately, however, the test of further devolution is delivery. People need to see and feel the difference in their communities, public services, local economies and pay packets. That requires clear priorities, strong partnerships and the flexibility to act. National leadership, regional collaboration and strong local government should reinforce one another.”
Concluding the perspective on future cooperation, Cllr Anthony Hunt added:
“If we get that relationship right, Wales has an opportunity to create something distinctive: a ‘Welsh Way’ built around partnership rather than competition, bringing decisions closer to people and turning our shared ambitions into practical results.”
Background
The debate surrounding devolution and regional governance in Wales has evolved significantly alongside structural reforms across the United Kingdom. Corporate Joint Committees (CJCs) were established as statutory regional bodies in Wales to facilitate strategic planning, regional transport, and economic development across local authority boundaries. Recent months have seen heightened focus on empowering regional authorities, following announcements from Westminster regarding combined authority powers in England and economic empowerment initiatives in Scotland. Local government leaders and regional committees in South Wales have consistently sought greater autonomy, financial flexibility, and strategic alignment between national policy and regional delivery to address post-industrial economic challenges and improve infrastructural connectivity.
This ongoing evolution in devolution policy is expected to directly impact regional businesses, local authorities, and residents across South Wales. By aiming to bring decision-making closer to communities, a successful restructuring under the proposed ‘Welsh Way’ could accelerate key regional investments, enhance transport connectivity, and streamline funding for high-skilled job creation. For local businesses and the workforce, increased regional economic empowerment may translate to more targeted support for innovation and improved public services. However, as local leaders have highlighted, the ultimate test of these developments will be practical execution—ensuring that structural administrative changes yield measurable improvements in local pay packets, community infrastructure, and economic resilience without creating administrative friction between local councils and the Welsh Government.
