Concise Minutes - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee

Meeting Venue:

Committee Room 2 - Senedd

Meeting date: Thursday, 3 October 2019

Meeting time: 09.04 - 12.10
This meeting can be viewed
on Senedd TV at:
http://senedd.tv/en/5742

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Attendance

Category	Names
Assembly Members:	John Griffiths AM (Chair) Dawn Bowden AM Mark Isherwood AM Caroline Jones AM
Witnesses:	Nick Bennett, Public Services Ombudsman for Wales Katrin Shaw, Public Services Ombudsman for Wales Chris Vinestock, Public Services Ombudsman for Wales
Committee Staff:	Naomi Stocks (Clerk) Catherine Hunt (Second Clerk) Osian Bowyer (Researcher) Hannah Johnson (Researcher) Megan Jones (Researcher)

<AI1>

1 Introductions, apologies, substitutions and declarations of interest

1.1 The Chair welcomed Members and members of the public to the meeting.

1.2 Apologies for absence were received from Huw Irranca Davies AM and Leanne Wood AM

</AI1>

<AI2>

2 Scrutiny of the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales Annual Report and Accounts 2018/19

2.1 The Committee received evidence from:

· Nick Bennett, Public Services Ombudsman for Wales

· Chris Vinestock, Chief Operating Officer and Director of Improvement

· Katrin Shaw, Chief Legal Advisor and Director of Investigations.

     2.2 The Ombudsman agreed to provide further information relating to the increase in the number of complaints against GPs and dentists.

</AI2>

<AI3>

3 Paper(s) to note

</AI3>

<AI4>

3.1 Correspondence from the Scottish Government regarding Benefits in Wales: options for better delivery

3.1a The Committee noted the Correspondence from the Scottish Government regarding Benefits in Wales: options for better delivery

</AI4>

<AI5>

4 Motion under Standing Order 17.42 (vi) to resolve to exclude the public from the remainder of this meeting and items 1 and 2 of the meeting on 17 October 2019

 4.1. The Committee agreed the motion.

</AI5>

<AI6>

5 Scrutiny of the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales Annual Report and Accounts 2018/19 - consideration of evidence received

5.1 The Committee considered the evidence and agreed to write to the Ombudsman to request further information on a number of issues.

</AI6>

<AI7>

6 Consideration of the Welsh Government's response to the report on the Inquiry into the Blue Badge Scheme in Wales: Eligibility and Implementation

6.1 The committee discussed the Welsh Government's response to the report on the Inquiry into the Blue Badge Scheme in Wales: Eligibility and Implementation

</AI7>

<AI8>

7 Benefits in Wales: options for better delivery - consideration of draft report

7.1 The Committee agreed the draft report, subject to changes.

</AI8>

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