The overall aim of the WLGA European Office is to provide an added value to Welsh local government on European issues and to promote its interests within Europe. The Office provides an important link between the 22 Welsh local authorities and the EU Institutions, developing relationships and communication based on local government’s needs, proposals and responses to key decision-makers within the European Commission, European Council and European Parliament.
With over 500 representative offices covering over 100k local and regional authorities across Europe, Brussels is the networking and lobbying capital of Europe. By having a presence in Brussels the WLGA is able to have a permanent team on the ground, providing targeted intelligence and “eyes and ears” information on the latest activities and EU policy developments.
The Office aims to encourage and increase engagement of Welsh local authorities with Europe, and Europe to local authorities; network on behalf of local authorities on the European level; promote cross-border, interregional and transnational partnership opportunities for local authorities; and keep track of the EU legislative process from inception to completion, allowing local authority influence to emerge at key stages during the lobbying process.
In order to feed into WLGA’s corporate services and policy directorates and highlight key EU developments in a range of policy areas to relevant colleagues, the Office works closely with the WLGA Europe and Regeneration Team Manager based in the WLGA Cardiff Office.
The WLGA European Team is supported by the WLGA European Advisers, expert practitioners in implementing EU funding and programmes on the ground:
• Neville Davies (Carmarthenshire County Council)
• Peter Mortimer (Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council)
• Filippo Compagni (Powys County Council)
• Sasha Davies/Aled Davies (Anglesey County Council)
The WLGA European Team provides support to its Members within European Institutions:
Committee of the Regions
• Cllr Chris Holley (WLGA Europe and Regeneration Spokesperson & Leader of Swansea City and County Council)
• Cllr Bob Bright (Newport City Council)
Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe
• Cllr Ronnie Hughes (Conwy County Borough Council)