The Welsh Government has published guidance concerning the impact of the UK general election and campaign on Welsh government staff. The guidance notes that the UK guidance which suspends government activity during the election campaign does not apply in Wales and therefore officials should continue their duties. The note provides guidance on supporting ministers, handling enquiries, communications, consultation, political activity by officials and working with Whitehall.

The Welsh Government has published guidance for appellants covering when and how they can make an appeal against a notice issued by the local planning authority (LPA). If the LPA considers that an application for planning permission (or anything accompanying it) does not comply with a validation requirement under section 62 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, they must provide notice to the applicant. The provision that allows for non-validation appeals for applications made on or after 16 March 2016 is found in the Town and Country Planning (Validation Appeals Procedure) (Wales) Regulations 2016, SI 2016/60.

The Welsh Government has published guidance for responsible entities of residential buildings 11 metres and over, explaining how they should work with developers who have signed the Developer Remediation Contract. Under the contract, developers must identify and remedy life-critical fire-safety defects arising from the building’s original design, construction or refurbishment. They are required to use competent, independent assessors, follow recognised standards, keep responsible entities informed, obtain regulatory approvals and submit a final qualifying assessment confirming that risks have been reduced to a tolerable level. When no works are required, developers must provide the assessment to the government. The guidance clarifies that developers are not responsible for issues caused by wear, poor maintenance or later alterations, nor for interim safety costs.

The Welsh Government has published technical guidance on key performance indicators (KPIs) as mandated by the Procurement Act 2023 and the Procurement (Wales) Regulations 2024, SI 2024/782. This guidance outlines the new legal requirements for Welsh contracting authorities to set, publish, and assess at least three KPIs for public contracts valued over £5m. It defines KPIs, provides an overview of the legal framework governing their use, and specifies the requirement to assess supplier performance against these indicators annually. The guidance also introduces a standardised rating system for performance assessment, clarifies the publication requirements for KPI-related information in various procurement notices, and highlights the potential consequences of poor performance, including new discretionary exclusion grounds.

The Welsh Government has published guidance setting out what developers must submit with applications for Significant Infrastructure Projects (SIPs) and how those applications will be publicised and consulted on once accepted. Applications to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) must include core documents such as a bilingual draft infrastructure consent order, an explanatory memorandum and a pre-application consultation report, with supporting environmental and technical information where required. Once validated, applications will be publicised by PEDW and subject to a minimum six-week consultation, during which the public, statutory consultees and local authorities can submit representations. The Welsh Government has also introduced a bilingual planning glossary using plain language principles to make technical terms clearer and easier to understand.

The Welsh Government has published guidance outlining the activities exempt from marine licensing and applicable conditions under section 74 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. The guidance confirms that responsibility rests with the person undertaking the activity to ensure that all exemption criteria and conditions are fully met. An exemption may apply, however where conditions are not fully met a marine licence is required. The guidance also states that non-compliance with the terms of an exemption may result in enforcement action. In such cases, evidence of relevant consultations with statutory bodies, including nature conservation authorities, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Trinity House and the Ministry of Defence may be requested.

The Welsh Government has published guidance on the information required to be included in annual socially responsible procurement reports under section 39 of the Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales) Act 2023 (SPPP(W)A 2023). Contracting authorities that have awarded prescribed contracts during a financial year are required to publish an annual report. The report must include: (1) a summary of the public procurement exercises undertaken during the year that resulted in, or were intended to result in, the award of a prescribed contract; (2) a review of the extent to which all reasonable steps were taken in those exercises to meet the authority’s socially responsible procurement objectives; (3) where applicable, a statement outlining any further steps the authority considers could reasonably be taken in future public procurement exercises to meet those objectives; (4) a summary of the public procurement activities the authority expects to undertake in the following two financial years and (5) information specified in regulation 6 of the Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales) Regulations 2026, SI 2026/75, including information on the estimated value of contracts awarded to contractors satisfying the conditions listed in that regulation, expressed as percentages.

The Welsh Government has published a guidance on how and when to appeal a planning enforcement notice, explaining that where a Local Planning Authority (LPA) considers development does not benefit from planning permission, it may take enforcement action and serve an Enforcement Notice, which a relevant occupier or person with an interest in the land has a right to appeal. The guidance states that appeals must be submitted to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) before the effective date specified in the notice; otherwise, the notice will take full effect on that date. Appellants are encouraged to engage with the LPA in advance, as agreement may result in the notice being withdrawn.

The Welsh Government has published guidance on the Environmental Protection (Single-use plastic products) (Wet Wipes) (Wales) Regulations 2025, which sets out how the ban on the supply or offer to supply wet wipes containing plastic will operate. The guidance explains that the ban applies to a wide range of products, including baby wipes, cosmetic wipes, antibacterial wipes and household cleaning wipes, and covers both online and in-person sales. It also outlines that the aim of the law is to stop environmental damage caused when these products are disposed of incorrectly. The guidance states that the ban will take effect in Wales on 18 December 2026. It also explains that all UK nations are implementing the ban on different timelines, with England’s ban coming into force on 19 May 2027.

The Welsh Government has published guidance for local authorities, registered building control approvers (RBCAs) and people carrying out building work on cancellation notices, transfers and reversions under the Building Act 1984. The guidance explains when an initial notice must be cancelled, including where an RBCA is unable to carry out its functions, where there are contraventions of the building regulations, where work becomes higher-risk building work or where an RBCA is subject to a disciplinary order or deregistration by the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) acting on behalf of the Welsh Ministers. It also sets out the prescribed forms that must be used under the Building (Registered Building Control Approvers etc.) (Wales) Regulations 2024, SI 2024/1268 and confirms that a cancellation notice takes effect from the day it is given.

The Welsh Government has published guidance for owners and operators of temporary campsites on changes to permitted development rights for campsites for tents. The guidance explains that, from 1 September 2026, temporary campsites will generally be able to operate for up to 60 days in a calendar year (while sites in national parks, national landscapes and world heritage sites will remain subject to a 28-day limit), introduces a new notification process under which planning authorities will determine whether prior approval is required before camping use begins and sets out where permitted development rights do not apply. It also explains the information required when notifying the planning authority, the matters planning authorities will consider when deciding whether prior approval is required, how changes to approved arrangements and operating dates should be managed, and other considerations including campsite licensing, site safety, waste and wastewater management, access, temporary facilities and planning requirements for glamping structures and hot tubs.

The Welsh Government has published national good practice guidance on planning for the conservation and enhancement of dark skies in Wales. This guidance aims to enhance understanding of how to conserve and improve dark skies through effective planning and design. It supports existing national and local planning policies on dark skies and light pollution and is designed to assist government bodies, local authorities, developers, and other stakeholders, in reviewing, shaping, and determining planning applications related to lighting and dark sky preservation. It also provides practical advice on designing and assessing lighting schemes that preserve dark skies and highlights examples of both poor and improved lighting design practices.