The Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) has appointed Anthony Hunt as its new leader. Mr Hunt, who has been leader of Torfaen County Borough Council since 2016, has held the finance and resources brief at the association for over a decade.
Challenges Facing Local Government
The representative body for the 22 local authorities in Wales said that local government in Wales is facing ongoing financial and service pressures. It is calling on the new Plaid Cymru Welsh Government for fair, multi-year funding, stronger support for prevention, sustainable social care, investment in housing and education, highways, and a greater focus on rural communities and connectivity.
New Leader's Vision
Mr Hunt said: “It is an honour to take on this role at such an important time for local government in Wales. Councils are ready to work in partnership with the new Welsh Government to deliver for our communities. We were pleased to welcome Siân Gwenllian, the new Local Government Minister, to our annual general meeting recently, and we are grateful for that engagement, which reflects the importance of an ongoing partnership between local and national government.”
“That partnership has to be built on stability and trust. We need fair, multi-year funding settlements that allow us to plan properly, invest in prevention, and focus on long-term outcomes. Local government is at the heart of delivering the services people rely on every day, such as social care, housing, education, and support for vulnerable families, and demand for those services continues to rise. If we are serious about strengthening communities, then we must invest properly in those foundations.”
“By working together across government, we can shift more focus towards prevention, strengthen the sustainability of social care, tackle the pressures in education, and ensure every community, including rural areas, has access to the services and infrastructure they need. This is about turning shared priorities into real outcomes. Councils stand ready to play our full part in building stronger, fairer, and more resilient communities across Wales.”
Government Response
Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning, Siân Gwenllian, said: “I warmly welcome Anthony Hunt as the new leader of the WLGA. Local government is at the heart of everything we want to achieve for people across Wales. Delivering the homes and public services that communities depend on requires a strong, equal partnership between Welsh Government and local authorities – and I look forward to working with Anthony to shape a fairer Wales.”
