Concise Minutes - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee

Meeting Venue:

Committee Room 4 - Tŷ Hywel

Meeting date: Wednesday, 27 November 2019

Meeting time: 09.00 - 11.47
This meeting can be viewed
on Senedd TV at:
http://senedd.tv/en/5749

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Attendance

Category	Names
Assembly Members:	John Griffiths AM (Chair) Dawn Bowden AM Huw Irranca-Davies AM Mark Isherwood AM Leanne Wood AM
Witnesses:	Claire Germain, Welsh Government Julie James AM, Minister for Housing and Local Government Lisa James, Welsh Government Angharad Thomas-Richards, Welsh Government Cath Wyatt, Welsh Government
Committee Staff:	Catherine Hunt (Second Clerk) Yan Thomas (Deputy Clerk) Osian Bowyer (Researcher) Stephen Davies (Legal Adviser)

<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 Caroline Jones AM.

</AI1>

<AI2>

2 Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill: evidence session 1

2.1 The committee received evidence from:

· Julie James AM, Minister for Housing and Local Government

· Cath Wyatt, Local Government and Elections Bill Manager

· Claire Germain, Deputy Director Transformation and Partnerships

· Angharad Thomas Richards, Head of Local Government Elections Policy Team

· Lisa James, Deputy Director Local Government Democracy

2.2 The Minister agreed to write to the Committee with further information on the following points: 

• to provide details of any analysis that has been undertaken by the Welsh Government in relation petitions schemes, the potential increase in their use by the public, and long-term cost implications for principal councils.
• to share the timetable for the co-production of any guidance and regulatory arrangements created by the Bill.
• to share examples or evidence of effective self-assessment arrangements that are currently in place around the world.

</AI2>

<AI3>

3 Papers to note

</AI3>

<AI4>

3.1 Wales Audit Office report - Progress in implementing the Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Act

3.1a The Committee noted the Wales Audit Office report: Progress in implementing the Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Act.

</AI4>

<AI5>

3.2 Correspondence to the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales regarding additional information following the meeting held on 7 November 2019

3.2a The Committee noted the correspondence to the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales regarding the additional information sought following the meeting held on 7 November 2019.

</AI5>

<AI6>

4 Motion under Standing Order 17.42 (vi) to resolve to exclude the public from the remainder of the meeting

4.1 The Committee agreed the motion.

</AI6>

<AI7>

5 Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill: consideration of evidence

5.1 The Committee discussed the evidence received under item 2.

</AI7>

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