A Decade of Difference: Reflecting on the Well-being of Future Generations Act

As 2025 draws to a close, it is a natural time to reflect on the year’s milestones, say Rob Thomas, chief executive of Vale of Glamorgan Council and Tom Bowring, director of corporate resources.

Most notably in Wales, this year marks the 10th anniversary of the landmark Well-being of Future Generations Act.

This legislation seeks to ensure that the needs of the present are met, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs, and helps act as a safeguard against short-termism.

Right now, it feels particularly important as we once again face the risks of annual budget setting, with the drive to deliver a balanced budget for next year.

The legislation prompts us to think differently and long-term. We do this by focusing on achieving the wellbeing outcomes of our Vale 2030 Corporate Plan and re-committing to the Act’s five ways of working: Collaboration, Integration, Involvement, Long-term, and Prevention.

While much has been written about the high-level impact of the Act, including reports by both the Future Generations Commissioner and Auditor General, in this blog, we want to focus on how it looks on the ground. Specifically, our work on ‘prevention’ – a timely theme, gaining traction across the UK, and driving our current legacy.

Here are just some examples of how we are putting prevention into practice in the Vale of Glamorgan.

Golden Pass Scheme

Hailed as a sector-leading initiative, our Golden Pass scheme is a multi-agency project designed to tackle inactivity among residents over the age of 60.

By providing access to eight free activity sessions within their community, the scheme delivers benefits that go far beyond physical fitness:

• Rebuilding Confidence: Helping residents feel capable and independent

• Combating Isolation: Creating opportunities to meet new people

• Relieving NHS Pressure: Keeping people healthy and out of the hospital

Provision of good quality, safe and secure homes

We believe that safe, secure homes are the foundation of thriving communities. Work continues at pace to convert previously empty buildings into quality studio apartments and to accelerate our new house-building programme in collaboration with developers.

This strategy allows us to:

• Reduce reliance on the private sector

• Eliminate costly, short-term solutions, such as using hotel rooms during housing crises

• Create communities where people feel a sense of ownership and belonging

Restricting unhealthy advertising

The Vale of Glamorgan Council is proud to be the first Local Authority in Wales to restrict the advertising of High in Fat, Sugar, and Salt (HFSS) foods on our infrastructure.

These products are no longer promoted at bus stops, on highway boards, or on the Council’s website. The evidence is clear: advertising drives consumption, particularly in children and in areas of deprivation. By removing these ads, we are helping people make informed choices to prevent obesity and diet-related disease.

A surprising success: We were advised that this ban might cost us advertising revenue. In fact, the reverse happened — income has increased, proving that public health and financial responsibility can go hand in hand.

Accessing food and support: The CF61 Hub

The final example of prevention in action is CF61, a community hub and a former council premises, managed by Glamorgan Voluntary Services. Born out of the pandemic, this project brought the council, residents, and local organisations together to identify barriers to accessing support.

The National Lottery has funded the project for three years, which allows residents to access:

• More Than Food Hub – where residents can access healthy food, support and help on topics including housing, finances, health and wellbeing, employment, childcare and more

• Healthy food via a FoodShare Pantry

• A Clothes Bank Pop-Up

• The “Chatty Café”—a community-connecting free cafe

• Advice on housing, debt, employment, and mental health

By providing face-to-face support under one roof, we can address issues before they escalate into crisis. The success of this blueprint has already led to a similar one-stop shop opening in Barry.

Looking to 2026

Meeting the expectations of “now” is important, but doing so in a way that protects the future is vital. As we look toward 2026, there is much to be proud of, though there is always more to do.

Nadolig Llawen

Image credit: Photo by Artem Podrez

Join our mailing list