Meeting Venue:
Committee Room 1, Senedd
Meeting date: Thursday, 9 November 2023
Meeting time: 09.30 - 14.37
This meeting can
be viewed
on Senedd TV at:
http://senedd.tv/en/13777
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Category |
Names |
|
Members of the Senedd: |
David Rees MS (Chair) Heledd Fychan MS Darren Millar MS Sarah Murphy MS |
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Witnesses: |
Professor Alistair Clark, Professor of Political Science, Newcastle University Dr Jac Larner, Lecturer in Politics, Cardiff University Jess Blair, Electoral Reform Society Cymru Alberto Smith, Make Votes Matter Professor Ailsa Henderson, Chair, Boundaries Scotland Malcolm Burr, Convener, Electoral Management Board for Scotland Efa Gruffudd Jones, Welsh Language Commissioner Lowri Williams, Strategic Director, Office of the Welsh Language Commissioner |
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Committee Staff: |
Helen Finlayson (Clerk) Georgina Owen (Second Clerk) Catherine Roberts (Deputy Clerk) Josh Hayman (Researcher) Aled Evans (Legal Adviser) |
1 Introductions, apologies, substitutions, and declarations of interest
There were no apologies, substitutions or declarations of interest.
2 Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with electoral systems academics
The Committee received evidence from Professor Alistair Clark and Dr Jac Larner.
3 Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with electoral reform organisations
The Committee received evidence from Electoral
Reform Society Cymru and Make Votes Matter.
The Electoral Reform Society Cymru agreed to provide further information about:
· The modelling it has undertaken in respect of the application of candidate gender quotas to different electoral systems for Senedd elections.
· Any consideration it has undertaken of issues relating to the potential for a mechanism to recall Members of the Senedd.
4 Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session on the electoral and boundary reform experience in Scotland
The Committee received evidence from
Boundaries Scotland and the Electoral Management Board for
Scotland.
5 Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with the Welsh Language Commissioner
The Committee received evidence from the Welsh Language Commissioner.
6 Papers to Note
6.1 Response from the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution regarding the anticipated gender quotas Bill - 20 October 2023
The Committee noted the letter.
6.2 Letter to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution regarding the anticipated gender quotas Bill – 25 October 2023
The Committee noted the letter.
6.3 Response from the Deputy Minister for Social Partnership regarding the anticipated gender quotas Bill - 1 November 2023
The Committee noted the letter.
6.4 Letter from the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution regarding the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill - 31 October 2023
The Committee noted the letter.
6.5 Response from the former Chair of the Special Purpose Committee on Senedd Reform - 2 November 2023
The Committee noted the letter.
7 Motion under Standing Order 17.42 (ix) to resolve to exclude the public for the remainder of the meeting
The Committee agreed the motion.
8 Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Consideration of evidence
The Committee considered the evidence received.