The WLGA is a cross party organisation and its decision-making arrangements are politically balanced, reflecting the combined political composition of the authorities within its membership.

The WLGA is a member-led organization through its main decision-making bodies are the Council.

Comprising 79 members proportionately representing the populations they serve – and the Executive Board – comprising the 22 council leaders. Through these mechanisms, there is a direct link between the WLGA’s governance arrangements and every individual voter in Wales. Electors vote for their councillors in the local government elections; the elected councillors in turn form governing administrations and elect a leader, and those leaders and councillors are elected on to the WLGA’s Council and Executive Board.

Elected members are at the heart of policy and decision making within the WLGA. The work of the WLGA is advanced by its members and their decision making structures – the Executive Board and Council. The WLGA also has a Management Sub-Committee and an Audit Committee.

Although Labour forms the largest group within the WLGA and holds the post of Leader and Deputy Leaders, the WLGA operates on the basis of consensus across the political groups including Independents, Conservative and Plaid Cymru. Leaders and other WLGA Council Members act as Spokespersons for the WLGA covering a range of local government services or portfolios. These portfolio areas cover every aspect of local government service ranging from finance, education and social services to libraries and leisure.