Meetings

A Commissioner raised that the decisions taken in June about the access to Commission resources by former Members during the period when the Senedd is Dissolved had given rise to some queries from their group members. The core principle of that decision making had been to provide for a free and fair election.

In light of the potential for the Dissolution period to be changed by proposed Government emergency legislation the Llywydd flagged that the issue may need to be revisited and asked for feedback from Commissioners.

·       Election matters   Commissioners were briefed on the potential of decisions being made by the Welsh Government relating to legislative proposals or other changes in relation to the 2021 Senedd election, following consideration of a report of their elections group.

·       Approach to lessons learned  Commissioners agreed a proposal to briefly capture lessons learned re the most significant pieces/key aspects of work of the Commission during the fifth Senedd, to support the development of the next Commission strategy. This will replace production of a more traditional ‘legacy report’, to avoid duplicating information is captured and published each year in the annual report.

·       Follow-up to Oral Question on Supporting Commission staff working from home during pandemic    Commissioners received a brief update responding to points raised and information about the results of the Commission’s Business Continuity survey. They welcomed the extensive work that had been done and recognised that employees’ views and needs may be different over the winter period to their experience through the spring and summer. They also recognised the significance of Members’ own responsibilities as employers, for example in ensuring their support staff take leave.

·       Facilitation of cross-party declaration – Commissioners agreed to consult with the Cross Party Group on Racial Equality with regard to facilitating the development of a cross-party Welsh declaration, embodying the principles of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, as requested by the Senedd.

·       Letter from PAC – Commissioners noted a letter received by the Chief Executive from the PAC following the committee evidence session on 21 September.

In the period since the last meeting Commissioners had taken one urgent decision relating to extending the period of cancellation of face-to-face public engagement activities.

·         Members Pension Scheme Trustees

Under the rules of the Members of the Senedd Pension Scheme and the Terms of Reference for the Pension Board, the Accounting officer, in consultation with the Commissioners, is responsible for identifying who should stand as the Commission representatives on the Pension Board. Nia Morgan’s four year term as Trustee is due to end on 4 August 2020.  The Terms of Reference for the Board allow for existing Trustees to continue for a further four years to help retain experience on the Board. Commissioners were supportive of the Accounting Officer’s proposal that Nia continue as a Trustee for a further four years.

In the period since the last meeting Commissioners had taken one urgent decision relating to extending the period of cancellation of face-to-face public engagement activities.

In the period since the last meeting Commissioners had taken one urgent decision relating to extending the period of cancellation of face-to-face public engagement activities.

Commissioners considered the timing for future meetings if the pattern of Business Committee meetings continues.

In the period since the last meeting Commissioners had taken three urgent decisions.

These related to the broadcasting of plenary and committee meetings and extending the period for which public engagement activities will not take place.

Additional briefing had also been provided to clarify the additional resource to support the strategic priority of engagement.

Commissioners were appraised that the Cleaning contract had been awarded following a procurement exercise.

·         Taking Assembly business to a location outside Cardiff

In discussions with groups and party leaders, feedback had, generally, been supportive of a compressed week of Assembly business, to be undertaken in NE Wales.

The Commission agreed, by majority, that work to deliver the initiative should now go ahead, and to an indicative budget of up to £250k.

·         Letter from 3 Members

Commissioners agreed to maintain the memorials policy in its current form.

·         Events on the estate

Commissioners discussed issues around events encompassing political debate, and the boundaries as to what is appropriate use of the estate, and requested a paper for a future meeting.

In the period since the previous meeting Commissioners had agreed to a request from the BBC to host an election debate on the estate. There had also been a briefing meeting with the Commissioners and the Llywydd on 11 November with regard to arrangements for a temporary Standards Commissioner.

·         The Llywydd informed Commissioners that they would be provided with information relating to the report of the Commission on Justice in Wales in due course.

·         Commissioners were informed that a recent appeal in relation to an employment tribunal had been dismissed.

The date of the next meeting is to be confirmed.</HEADING_LAYOUT_SECTION><TITLED_COMMENT_LAYOUT_SECTION>

Commissioners were informed of a planning notification that had been received relating to a proposed temporary zip line development in Cardiff Bay.

In the period since the previous meeting Commissioners had agreed the Annual Environmental Report.

·         Appointments – having been consulted in April, Commissioners were updated about the process to appoint to the post of Director of Communication and Engagement.

·         Joyce Watson made reference to communication she had received from David Emery. Commissioners indicated that they were content for the current arrangements to remain unchanged.

In the period since the previous meeting Commissioners had agreed changes to the Visitor Code of Conduct.

·         Commissioners were briefly updated about an ongoing Employment Tribunal.

·         Commissioners noted a letter from the Chair of the Finance Committee in relation to the Committee’s consideration of proposals to amend the Public Audit (Wales) Act 2013.

In the period since the previous meeting Commissioners had agreed responses to the Finance Committee in relation to Post legislative scrutiny and Funding of directly funded bodies, to the Public Accounts Committee in relation to Budget scrutiny recommendations and to the Remuneration Board’s Consultation on the Determination (along with associated principles for Commission travel).

·         Intention to recruit to Director post

To fulfil the requirement of the Commission Delegation Manon consulted the Commission about her intention to make an appointment to the post of Director of Communications and Engagement post, to fill the vacancy that will arise. She also flagged that interim arrangements will be made to provide the support currently provided by the outgoing Chief Legal Advisor, and that this will involve a difference in remuneration, terms and conditions to that of the current post holder.

·         Telephone scam

Commissioners were informed of a telephone scam that is currently being experienced, and which is making use of some of the Assembly’s telephone numbers. Members are asked to contact their ICT Account manager if they are experiencing calls from recipients of the scam.

·         Letter from the Finance Committee

The Finance Committee had written asking the Commission to provide written evidence to its post-legislative scrutiny of the Public Audit (Wales) Act 2013.

Commissioners agreed for the Commissioner with responsibility for Budget and Governance to respond on their behalf.

Petitions Committee

Business Committee agreed to invite UKIP to fill the vacancy on the Petitions Committee. Neil Hamilton stated that the UKIP Group needed to have a general discussion on the allocation of their committee places, before nominating a member to fill the vacancy on the Petitions Committee.

Committee for the Scrutiny of the First Minister

Business Managers agreed to table a motion to elect Janet Finch-Saunders as a member of the Scrutiny of the First Minister Committee in place of David Rowlands. The motion will be added to tomorrow’s Plenary agenda.

Next Week’s Agenda

The Deputy Presiding Officer informed Business Managers that papers on the Collation of Guidance and on Standing Orders for Consolidation Bills will be on the agenda for next week.

·         Letter from Joyce Watson

·         Minimum pay - Joyce Watson raised the subject of the recent pay settlement for Commission staff, welcoming it as a positive agreement. However, she expressed concern that contract staff working here should receive minimum pay in line with our minimum pay level. Commissioners were supportive of the principle and requested further information be provided to a future meeting to enable a decision to be taken.

·         Tribunal – Commissioners were briefly updated about an ongoing Employment Tribunal.

In the period since the previous meeting Commissioners had finalised their Policy for the provision of monuments, memorials and plaques, and agreed Responses to recommendations from the Standards Committee and Health, Social Care and Sport Committee.

Spokespeople’s questions

The Llywydd requested that Business Managers ensure that their Members, where reasonably practical, inform her through the Plenary Requests mailbox when they intend to direct their spokespeople’s questions to a Deputy Minister, and that they continue to indicate that to the Government as well.

Noise in the Chamber

Following instances of noise in the Chamber last week, the Llywydd reminded Business Managers that Members should not leave their devices unattended in the Chamber.

Allocation of Committee Chairs between groups

Darren Millar stated that the Welsh Conservatives would like to re-visit the previous Business Committee offer to re-allocate the Chair of the Petitions Committee from the UKIP Group to the Welsh Conservatives, but that the Group were not yet in a position to make a nomination.

The Llywydd stated that the committee will need to return to the previous decisions made by the Business Committee regarding the allocation of committee Chairs, when the Welsh Conservatives are in a position to make a nomination.

Rhun ap Iorwerth noted that he would be happy to support such a proposal. Neil Hamilton stated his view that, based on the current balance between parties, the UKIP Group was entitled to one committee Chair.

The Llywydd noted that Business Managers positions had not changed from the last time the issue was considered, except for Darren Millar who stated that his Group would now accept the re-allocation of the Petitions Committee Chair. In response to a query, the Llywydd confirmed that ultimately, if any motion to re-allocate Committee Chairs were considered in Plenary  it would be open for debate.

Supplementary LCMs 

The Trefnydd updated Business Managers on the latest position with regards to two Brexit Bills. Due to Parliamentary timetables and ongoing negotiations with the UK Government, the laying of these Supplementary LCMs has been delayed and would result in limited time for committee scrutiny.

Commissioners were made aware that recommendations had been made for their consideration by the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee and the Standards Committee – and that draft responses would be circulated shortly for their consideration.

In the period since the previous meeting Commissioners had supported a proposal to nominate Bob Evans as one of the Commission’s representatives to the AM Pensions Board, and the appointment of the New Director of Assembly Business.

·         Standards Commissioner’s office – Commissioners were updated about changes being made to improve the staffing structure that supports the Commissioner for Standards. This was in view of the increasing volume of work in relation to enquiries to the Standards Commissioner’s office over the course of this year, and in response to recommendations made by the Standards of Conduct Committee.

In the period since the previous meeting Commissioners had agreed the appointment of independent advisers to the Commission, following an open and transparent recruitment process.

·         Independent Advisors – Commissioners were updated about the on-going process to appoint independent advisers to the Commission, and agreed to undertake formalities associated with the appointments out of meeting.

·         Director Assembly Business recruitment – Commissioners were updated about the plans to appoint to the vacant post of Director Assembly Business, as part of the consultation requirements of the Commission’s delegation.

·         Pay negotiations – Commissioners agreed that the process, which they had been updated about, could continue.

In the period since the previous meeting Commissioners had been consulted about the plans for the senior structure of the organisation in line with the requirements of the delegation of Assembly Commission functions.

Commissioners had also noted that the Llywydd had entered in to a Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the Commission with the First Minister on behalf of the Welsh Government in relation to the delivery of the first phase of the Commission’s legislative strategy on electoral reform.

Brussels office – Commissioners noted that the WG is content to continue the existing arrangement for the Commission’s Brussels Office, provided by Welsh Government in Wales House, Brussels, on the same terms until the end of the December 2020.

Cyber awareness briefings from AM & AMSS – It was flagged that the take-up of cyber awareness briefing sessions is mixed, Commissioners were asked to advocate its importance with their groups.

Pensions Board – Commissioners agreed that arrangements for a Commission representative on the Pension Board could be undertaken out of meeting if necessary.

·         Electronic Payslips for AMs and AMSS – Commissioners agreed to a proposal to move away from paper to primarily electronic issue of payslips. This would bring AMs/AMSS into line with the system for despatching payslips to Commission staff. The plan would be to roll out to Members in a phased way over the summer months, with MBS working with AM’s offices. The roll-out would include an ‘opt-out’ option for those who strongly prefer to continue to have paper payslips at this time.

·         Independent Advisors – Commissioners were advised that the advertisements seeking to appoint independent advisers to the Commission are currently live.

·         Commission procurement

·         Commission procurement - Commissioners discussed procurement by the Commission from Welsh suppliers and agreed to introduce a specific KPI on procurement from Welsh suppliers. They also agreed to consider the matter at a future meeting and asked for a paper on current procurement arrangements regarding Welsh suppliers and what options there are available to improve performance.

·         Whistleblowing – Joyce Watson asked if the Commission could do some awareness raising of whistleblowing policies and procedures. The Commission agreed that it would be appropriate to build it into the package of work undertaken during our equalities week, likely to be June or July.

·         Flemish Parliament visit – The Commission agreed, subject to availability, to accept an invitation from Speaker Jan Peumans, to visit the Flemish Parliament in June 2018.

·         Tŷ Hywel ground floor corridor access - Complaints had been raised by Members about the access restrictions to the ground floor B block corridor. These had originally been put in place in response to concerns about security and causing a distraction to sitting committees. Commissioners discussed the matter and concluded that restrictions should be lifted so that the corridor should be open for use, and that users should be reminded to be quiet so as to avoid disturbing meetings.

·         Joyce Watson wished to record thanks for all those who had been involved in the ‘I am Embolden’ event, celebrating the achievements of deaf & disabled women in Wales.

Capacity Review – Commissioners agreed a foreword to their report.

Dippy proposal – The Commission agreed to formalise the transfer of the Dippy exhibition to the National Museum’s Cathays Park site, following discussions with the Natural History Museum and the Director General at the National Museum of Wales.

The following issues were considered, and agreed, by correspondence in the period prior to this meeting:

•              Capacity review final report

•              Indicative agreement, of the direction of travel, of the Dignity and Respect policy

Members’ Pension Scheme – Commission nominee. Joyce Watson had indicated her intention to resign her position, due to a change in her workload pressures. A replacement nomination will be made as soon as possible.

Joyce Watson wished to place on record that she had received very good feedback about the recent support given to the Labour group during a very difficult period.

The following issues were considered, and agreed, by correspondence in the period prior to this meeting:

•              British Deaf Association regarding BSL as official language.

•              OAQ follow-up regarding provision of subtitling for FMQs.

The Assembly reform programme

The Llywydd updated Commissioners on the work of the Expert Panel. She informed them that the panel will start to come to conclusions on the three subjects in question which are should the voting age be reduced, should the number of members of the Assembly increase and whether to change the voting system. There will be a report from the Panel which will come to the Commission later in the year.

The Assembly Members' Pension Scheme

Joyce Watson provided a brief update and reminded Commissioners that they had received a paper on the AM pension scheme asking for their comments.

Youth Parliament

The Llywydd informed Commissioners that the consultation on a Youth Parliament had now closed, and that over 5,000 responses had been received from across Wales. She set out that the data is being analysed and a paper will come to the Commission on 25 September.

Purple plaque

The Llywydd informed Commissioners that she had received a request from the cross-party group which campaigns to identify the contribution of women across Wales to erect a plaque on the estate to commemorate Val Feld.  Commissioners agreed in principle to the request, subject to appropriate arrangements and a suitable location being identified.

Official Languages Scheme

Commissioners raised queries relating to media coverage of various aspects of the OLS the previous week, including disappointment at the way the issue had been covered in the media and the inaccurate perceptions this could cause.

An open recruitment exercise had been undertaken to fill a vacancy on the Remuneration Board. Commissioners considered the recommendation and agreed the appointment of the Selection Panel’s preferred candidate.

Commissioners requested an update in relation to security on the Cardiff estate.

None was advised.

None was advised.

The Llywydd provided Commissioners with updates on work relating to a Youth Parliament and on the Expert Panel on Electoral Reform.

Adam Price mentioned the up-coming AM/AMSS survey.

Aberfan Memorial Book

The Llywydd reported that she had attended Cyfarthfa Castle in Merthyr to visit the exhibition which currently includes the Aberfan Memorial Book. The Book is a calligraphic representation of all the names of the victims of Aberfan. The Assembly is the current custodian of the Book but has loaned it to the exhibition, it has previously been exhibited in the Pierhead.

The Commission agreed to formally return the Book to the Aberfan Memorial Charity and that it should be exhibited at the Aberfan community library.

The next Commission meeting will consider the public engagement strategy and a new Official Languages scheme.

Commissioners discussed a few matters of topical interest.

The Llywydd indicated that the policy on sale of alcohol on the Estate had been raised with her. Commissioners felt that consuming alcohol while working was not appropriate, and could create risks for individuals. They therefore unanimously agreed that the existing policy should be maintained.

The Llywydd raised the potential draft Bill relating to re-naming the National Assembly for Wales, which had been debated in plenary on 5 July. The Commission agreed that a paper should be prepared for consideration at their meeting in September.

No other business was raised.

No other business was raised.

No other business was raised.

Commissioners thanked the Deputy Presiding Officer for the work he had done on the Commission budget.

The following issues were considered, and agreed, by correspondence in the period prior to this meeting:

·         Proposals to replace the CCTV system on the Assembly Estate. This issue had been considered at the 17 September meeting and Commissioners had been provided with further information to enable them to come to a final conclusion.

Paper to Note: Constitutional Change Update

The Presiding Officer said that she had received representations about a proposed consultation on a youth parliament.  It was agreed that given the positive reaction to the Assembly’s youth engagement programme, any future developments would have to be complementary to that and build on the excellent achievements of that programme.

The following issues were considered, and agreed, by correspondence in the period prior to this meeting:

• The Commission report to Members 2014-15

The following issues were considered, and agreed, by correspondence in the period prior to this meeting:

·         The Annual Report and Accounts 2014-15

·         The Annual Equality Report 2014-15

·         Official Languages Scheme Annual Compliance Report 2014-15.

This was the Commission’s last meeting before the summer recess. The next meeting will be on 17 September when Commissioners will consider an updated budget document.

Commissioners raised concerns about two facilities management related issues.

The Commission will next meet on Thursday 9 July. The meeting will focus on performance and Commissioners will consider the draft budget for 2016/17.

The next meeting will be on Thursday 25 June 2015, when Commissioners will consider issues relating to preparations for transition to the Fifth Assembly.

The Commission’s next meeting will be on Thursday, 11 June 2015, when Commissioners will consider a paper on the appointment of the successor to the Chief Executive and Clerk to the Assembly.

David Melding reported back to the Commission on the recent visit to Bosnia Herzegovina, which had been to mark the 20 year anniversary of events in Srebrenica. He highlighted that there will be an event held in the Senedd on 8 July.

The Presiding Officer indicated that the Assembly week events in Wrexham had been successful.

The Commission’s next meeting will be on 21 May, when Commissioners will be holding one of their regular meetings to focus on performance.

The Presiding Officer thanked Commissioners and Commission staff for the work that was done in the run up to the Secretary of State’s statement announcing the St David’s Day agreement on the future of Welsh Devolution. She indicated that the detailed submissions put forward to the Secretary of State, and the Commission’s report on capacity, made a real difference.

The Presiding Officer also informed Commissioners that, as Angela Burns was facing an extended absence David Melding would be taking over her Commissioner responsibilities while she is away.

Claire Clancy drew attention to the Remuneration Board’s consultation, which would be published the next day, and informed Commissioners that the Finance Committee had reported on the supplementary budget.

The Commission next meets on Thursday 23 April 2015, when Commissioners will consider the Budget Strategy for 2016-17 and receive a full security briefing.

None.

The Commission’s next meeting will be on Thursday, 5 March 2015, when Commissioners will focus on preparations for transition to the Fifth Assembly.

The Commission will next meet on 9 February, when the discussion will focus on engaging with the people of Wales, and Commissioners will return to security issues.

The Commission formally approved the appointment of the successful candidates in the two recent recruitment competitions for the Director of Commission Services and the Director of Finance.

The next meeting will be on Thursday 29 January, it will be one of the regular Performance themed meetings. The Commission will be considering the Corporate Performance Report April – December 2014, the Annual Report on our Carbon Management strategy and the latest Highlight report.

The Deputy Presiding Officer raised proposals to participate in commemorations of the 20-year anniversary of Srebrenica and all Commissioners indicated their willingness in principle to join the visit.

Commissioners discussed appropriate ways to mark the sad death of Jane Wedlake and the need to take full account of the wishes of her family.

The next meeting will be held on 15 January. The Commission will continue their consideration of the implications of constitutional change.

Secretariat

December 2014

The next meeting will be held on 3 December.

Agenda items will include a discussion of European issues with Gregg Jones, and updates from the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee and on the ICT changes in the Siambr.

Secretariat

November 2014

The next meeting will be held on 17 November.

Agenda items will include updates on machine translation, the Record of Proceedings and the review of committee support. The Commission will also be considering constitutional implications of Silk 1 and 2.

Secretariat

November 2014

The next meeting will be held on 3 November.

Agenda items will include agreeing the Commission’s final budget, taking account of the Finance Committee’s report on the budget. Commissioners will also be holding discussions with the Remuneration Board.

The Presiding Officer informed Commissioners that a Short Debate had been tabled that was a matter for the Commission, and that she would be responding to the debate on Wednesday 1 October.

Secretariat

September 2014

The next meeting will be held on 29 September. Commissioners will be focussing on performance issues, discussing the Corporate Performance report for the April to June period and the results of the Members and AMSS survey.

Peter Black will be appearing before the Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee on 23 September to give evidence on the Commission’s Annual Report and Accounts.

Secretariat

September 2014

The next meeting would be held in September. Commissioners would be discussing the draft Budget for 2015-16 before this was laid before the Assembly for consideration. 

Rhodri Glyn Thomas and Peter Black would be appearing before the Assembly’s Finance Committee on 16 July to give evidence on the Commission’s performance on ICT and bilingual services.

The Assembly Commission Official Languages Scheme Compliance Report 2013-14 would be debated in Plenary on 16 July.

Secretariat
July 2014

The next meeting would be held on 7 July. The Commission would be considering the Assembly Commission Audit and Risk Assurance Committee’s Annual Report and the Budget Strategy for 2015-16.

Secretariat

June 2014

Policy amendment          - oral

Commissioners reviewed the Commission’s Records Retention Policy and agreed to an addition to deal with circumstances when the impact of compliance with the Policy becomes unreasonable and disproportionate.

Secretariat
June 2014

The Presiding Officer had hosted a tri-lateral meeting with her counterparts from the Northern Ireland Assembly and House of Commons.

Dave Tosh provided Commissioners with a summary of his recent work for the UN, advising the Government of Fiji on preparations for establishing a Parliament.

Craig Stephenson had recently been appointed Interim Director of Commission Services.

Secretariat

May 2014

The next Commission meeting would be held on 26 March 2014. Agenda items would include ICT in the Chamber and ICT transition readiness. 

Secretariat

March 2014

Angela Burns summarised discussions at the Children and Young People Committee regarding the need for external providers, who were engaged to support under the Members’ Continuing Professional Development programme, to have a thorough understanding of the work of the Assembly and how this differs from other legislatures. This matter would be taken forward by officials.

The next Commission meeting would be held on 6 March 2014. Agenda items would include the Record of Proceedings and progress towards the ICT transition. 

Secretariat

February 2014

There were no other items of business.

The next Commission meeting would be held on 13 February 2014.

Secretariat

January 2014

The Audit Committee met on 7 November and had discussed ICT futures, Corporate Risks relating to the scale of activities underway within the organisation and their impact on capacity, and the WAO report on management of accounts. It had been Richard Calvert’s final meeting as Chair of the Audit Committee. Commissioners noted their thanks for his contribution.

The next Commission meeting would be held on 30 January 2014.

Secretariat

December 2013

Secretariat

November 2013

Secretariat

November 2013

Secretariat

October 2013

Secretariat

September 2013

The Chief Executive advised the Commission that the Director of ICT was taking steps on two matters of current concern to Members: to implement a simple PIN approach for Blackberry passwords and to extend the default retention period for email synchronisation to one month.  These changes were expected to be available that day.  The Commission commended the way that ICT had been responding to and resolving issues.

The Chief Executive agreed to bring a discussion paper to the Commission on national events due to take place over the next few years, in order to enable the Commission to influence future plans.

Officials would investigate and report back on the following matters:

·         the accessibility of Assembly Members' diaries, and

·         safety and practicality issues with the new china mugs in the café.

Secretariat

June 2013

Commissioners discussed a request from Star Walk Wales seeking permission from the Assembly Commission to place paving and stars on the Assembly’s estate. The project would celebrate the lives and work of individuals who had contributed to Welsh life, and would be overseen by a working group. There would be no cost to the Commission.

Commissioners agreed in principle that the project should include the Assembly Estate, subject to there being input from a representative of the Commission.

Action: A letter would be sent to the Chief Executive of the project to confirm the Commission’s agreement in principle. 

Secretariat

May 2013

There were no other items of business.

Secretariat

May 2013

There were no other items of business.

Secretariat

April 2013

There were no other items of business.

Secretariat

February2013

There was no other business.

Secretariat

November 2012

There was no other business.

Secretariat

November 2012

There was no other business.

Secretariat

November 2012

There was no other business.

Secretariat

October 2012

Commissioners were informed that recruitment of a new set of Independent Advisers was underway.

Keith Bush updated the Commissioners on the challenge to the Assembly’s competence in respect of the Local Government Byelaws (Wales) Bill.

Secretariat

September 2012

Commissioners will hold an informal meeting on 2 August.

Claire Clancy agreed to circulate recent correspondence with Atos to the Commissioners.

The Commission then went into private session and agreed a proposal on a confidential staffing matter put to them by the Chief Executive in accordance with the Delegation.

Secretariat

July 2012

·         Commissioners discussed the status of the official Record of Proceedings.

·         Commissioners requested further information on the full range of services in place to support Committee proceedings.

·         Angela Burns AM highlighted items of note in the Assembly Commission Internal Audit Annual Report.

·         Commissioners agreed to hold an informal meeting during the summer recess.

Secretariat

June 2012

There was no other business.

Commissioners discussed recent media coverage of the Assembly.

There was no other business.

Commissioners asked to have a private meeting with the Chief Executive following the Commission meeting.

There was no other business.

The creation of an IT Director role was discussed and agreed. Commissioners asked that the recruitment process should start as soon as possible.

It was agreed that options should be prepared for the recognition of significant contributions to the development of the Assembly, for example by Presiding Officers, and the creation of artefacts that would provide an appropriate historical record of the development of the Assembly.

Action: Officials to prepare options for the recognition of significant contributions to the Assembly

ICT issues had continued to be experienced by a number of Assembly Members and their staff at the Assembly and in regional and constituency offices.  New circuits were being installed, which could improve connection speeds in remote offices.  It was agreed that Members could contact Peter Black if they were experiencing significant problems, and that plain English, without jargon, should be used to communicate known issues to Members.

Issues had been experienced by Members using committee rooms 1, 2 and 3 during the first week of term.  Investigations were underway, and a report would be circulated.

There was no other business.

The Commission noted that Memorandum of Understanding between the Assembly and the Wales Governance Centre would be agreed shortly.