What we do

One Voice Wales is the principal national body for Community and Town Councils in Wales.

One Voice Wales is run by a National Executive Committee, made up of Councillors from some of the Councils who are members of One Voice Wales. The Committee is supported by a range of other committees who manage policy, finance, audit, and communications. A network of Area Committees ensures that information of local, regional, or national interest is discussed and disseminated. 

One Voice Wales is supported by myself as Chief Executive. In turn, I am supported by a team of dedicated staff who deliver services on behalf of the organisation. You can read more about these services, and the team who provide them, elsewhere on this site. In the meantime, though, below are some highlights. 

Our Development Officers provide advice to Councils on matters covering finance, human resources, governance, and service delivery. Their advice is covered by our professional indemnity insurance, giving member councils added assurance of the standing and quality of our advisory service. We also have access to a team of lawyers and HR/Employment Law experts who will be approached for advice in appropriate cases.  

Policy Guidance 

Information is disseminated to Councils to provide advice, guidance, and examples of Best Practice across a range of policy and governance areas. 

Training & Consultancy  

Our training offer is available to Members and staff of all Councils in membership. Our training ensures that Councils keep up to date with a an ever-changing legal, financial and governance landscape. We often bring in outside expertise to deliver the training, which is also available through the medium of Welsh. 

News & Consultation

Community and Town Councils play an important role in the democratic health of their communities. They are voices for the public and provide a vehicle for public opinion. We keep Councils up to date on any information which impacts on their role. We share news from other organisations and ensure that Councils have the opportunity to influence key areas of policy and opinion. 

Specialist Projects 

We also deliver a range of specialist projects across the whole of Wales. We provide Biodiversity advice through the Local Places for Nature Project, support vulnerable communities through the work of our Cost-of-Living Crisis Team and encourage Councils to embrace digital solutions and technology. 

Representational Role 

We are represented on outside bodies across the Welsh social, economic and environmental landscape. We work with key public sector partners to influence training, asset management, democratic health, and digital solutions. We meet regularly with bodies such as Audit Wales, who play a key role in ensuring a sound internal control environment for the public sector in Wales. We attend meetings of the Ministerial Advisory Forum on Ageing to help deliver age-friendly communities. One Voice Wales ensures that the views of its members are heard and understood by these national bodies. 

Working with Partners 

We enjoy excellent relationships with many organisations within Wales and beyond. These include Welsh Government, the WLGA, Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales, Planning Aid Wales, Wales Council for Voluntary Action, National Association of Local Councils, and the Society of Local Council Clerks. This helps to ensure that the voice of Community and Town Councils is heard my decision makers and opinion formers across the country.  

In October 2024, a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between One Voice Wales and Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) was published – read the MOU here.

Conferences, Events & Awards

Finally, we hold many events each year to showcase the work of our member Councils and celebrate Best Practice. You can read more about these exciting initiatives across this website. 

Read our National Awards Conference 2024 Report for more information.

We encourage all Community and Town Councils across Wales to take up membership to share in these benefits! 

Lyn Cadwallader BA(Hons), PGDipHsg, DBA, PGDipLOPS, Chartered MCIH, Chief Executive