Section 14A of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 (“the 2014 Act”) requires local authorities and Local Health Boards to each prepare and publish a plan following the carrying out of an assessment of needs under section 14 of the 2014 Act (known as a “population assessment”). This plan (known as an “area plan”) must set out, amongst other things, the range and level of services the body proposes to provide, or arrange to be provided, in response to the population assessment.

These Regulations make provision about area plans, including specifying when an area plan is to be published (regulation 2), the review and revision of area plans (regulation 3), persons who should be provided with copies of area plans (regulation 4), the taking of steps to engage with citizens, private and third sector organisations and public bodies in the preparation of area plans (regulations 5 and 6) and the monitoring and evaluation of area plans (regulation 7).

The Regulations include provision for how each of the regulations is to apply if a local authority or Local Health Board has decided to exercise powers under section 14A(4) or (5) of the 2014 Act to prepare and publish a joint area plan.

The Welsh Ministers’ Code of Practice on the carrying out of Regulatory Impact Assessments was considered in relation to these Regulations. As a result, a regulatory impact assessment has been prepared as to the likely costs and benefits of complying with these Regulations. A copy can be obtained from the Department of Health and Social Services, Welsh Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ.