Diolch, Deputy Presiding Officer, and I move the motion. The Partnership Arrangements (Amendment) and Regulated Services (Market Stability Reports) (Wales) Regulations 2021 concern the preparation and publication of market stability reports under section 144B of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014. The regulations before you today are supplemented with a code of practice concerning the exercise of local authority functions in respect of market stability reports and statutory guidance relating to partnership arrangements. Although the duty to prepare and publish market stability reports is specifically placed on local authorities, the market stability assessments will be undertaken on a regional footprint by regional partnership boards. This will be consistent with arrangements for population needs assessments and area plans, which section 144B requires local authorities to take into account when drawing up their market stability reports.

It is the intention that these regulations, the code of practice and statutory guidance will come into force on 1 April 2021. Under section 144B, local authorities will be required to prepare and publish a local market stability report, which includes an assessment of the sufficiency of provision of care and support in the local authority area, any other matter relating to the provision of regulated services in the local authority area as may be prescribed by regulations, and the effects on the exercise of the local authority social services functions of the commissioning by the authority of any services in connection with those functions. These regulations, the code of practice and statutory guidance are an important step in helping both health and social care commissioners and providers to understand the nature of the social care market in Wales and support their work to build a diverse and stable market for the future.

Throughout the COVID pandemic, the close working relationship between commissioners and providers has been essential for maintaining safe service delivery for our most vulnerable people. While the social care sector has faced unprecedented challenge and carried a heavy burden during the COVID-19 pandemic, through collaboration the market has responded positively and has managed to continue to operate essential services under extreme circumstances. Market stability reports will provide a useful tool to inform both commissioners and providers about the shape, strengths and risks of their local markets, and identify opportunities to build, strengthen and rebalance for the future. Thank you.