Community cohesion cannot be built on short-term funding, councils have told the Independent Commission for Community Cohesion last week.
The Commission met representatives from councils, offering local government the opportunity to help shape future recommendations on cohesion. Councils say any proposals must reflect the devolved responsibilities of Wales and the practical delivery role of local authorities.
Councils told the Commission that community cohesion is about preventing division before it takes hold, and that it needs steady, long-term backing if communities across Wales are to stay resilient and inclusive.
Leaders also highlighted ongoing work delivered by councils in partnership with third sector organisations. They noted that formal partnership agreements between local government, Welsh Government and the third sector play an important role in coordinating activity and supporting community-based cohesion work across Wales.
The discussion also highlighted the links between community cohesion, equalities and wider public services, with a focus on ensuring future recommendations recognise how these areas connect and work together to support inclusive communities.
Local government leaders are urging the Commission to recognise cohesion as critical preventative infrastructure, not a short-term response to crisis.
Councillor Lis Burnett, WLGA Llywydd said:
“Community cohesion doesn’t just happen on its own. It takes time, trusted local relationships and consistent investment.
“Councils across Wales are already taking action, with expert-led training delivered in partnership with Welsh Government and the Wales Safer Communities Network to help councillors and officers respond to disinformation and information-based harms, alongside wider work to promote civility in public life.
“If we want communities where people can disagree without division and feel safe and respected, we must treat cohesion as preventative work and fund it properly. Councils are closest to their communities and are often the first to see pressures emerging, so it’s vital that national recommendations recognise the devolved context in Wales and the central role local government plays in making this work succeed.
“Above all, we need to remember that community cohesion affects every area of public life and we all have a responsibility to ensure that our communities remain places where difference is respected, tensions are addressed early, and everyone feels they belong.”
Councillor Andrea Harrington, WLGA Spokesperson for Housing and Asylum said:
“Community cohesion is built through everyday connections in our towns and villages. From community spaces that tackle loneliness to local events that bring people together, councils and community partners are helping people feel welcomed and part of their neighbourhoods.
“But this work relies on strong partnerships and the time and resources to engage with communities properly. Close partnerships between local government, other public sector bodies and third sector voluntary organisations are crucial to making this work possible. Whether we are supporting refugees and asylum seekers to settle into new communities or responding to local pressures, getting this right means planning carefully, working with residents, and ensuring people are supported to build positive relationships from the start.”