Local Government Reform - Consultation on Policy Proposals

to provide for such an eventuality, the Department proposes that
councils should have a new power of well-being.
7.2. The proposed new power would enable councils to take any action
not already the responsibility of another agency (unless that agency
has given explicit agreement) to promote or improve the well-being
of their district. It would not, however, be an unrestricted power for
councils. A council would not be able to use the power of well-being
to do anything that it is unable to do because of any other legal
prohibition, restriction or limitation on their powers.
7.3. As with the proposals for the introduction of community planning,
the Department proposes to issue detailed guidance in support of
the exercise of the power of well-being which councils would be
required to have regard to.
Question 40:
Do you agree that a power of well-being should be introduced
for councils, and that the Department should be able to issue
guidance to support its operation?
A Partnership Panel
8.1. The Executive’s vision for the future delivery of its Programme for
<strong>Government</strong> recognises the need for a partnership approach
between departments and local government if the desired outcomes
for everyone are to be delivered. The proposed community
planning powers will require departments and agencies to work with
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