Meetings

Commissioners welcomed an updated framework for the delivery of Commission support for international parliamentary activity in the Sixth Senedd. It would enable the Commission to demonstrate how it is working towards the achievement of identified outcomes, showcasing the strengths of the Senedd and Commission and linking directly to policy, procedural and corporate interests.

Commissioners discussed international activity as part of a Member’s role and recognised Members need to be aware of Determination provisions in addition to the Commission support provided for various activities. They agreed the Framework, which would be made public on the Senedd website.

Commissioners noted information about the international work undertaken by the Senedd for the period of January 2019-March 2021.

Commissioners noted an update to deliver work set out in the Framework for the Assembly’s International Engagement during the Fifth Assembly. They raised the potential to work more closely with Honorary Counsels.

Manon welcomed Al Davies to the meeting to present the work programme for 2017-2020. It was intended to complement the Framework for the Assembly’s International Engaging during the Fifth Assembly, which had been presented to the Commission on 15 May, and was designed to reflect the Assembly as a small but progressive and innovative international legislature that was open and outward looking. The proposed work programme was sufficiently flexible to accommodate additional engagement and activity as necessary, with consideration having been given to the impact of Brexit and alternative links.

Value for money was always considered in the forward planning and, although it was a high level draft at this stage and not budgeted in detail, it would be delivered within the current engagement budget.

Management Board was invited to discuss and suggest amendments or additions to the work programme.

The Board agreed that the work programme presented good value for money, recommending that current staff that speak other languages could be used to support the international team.

Commissioners discussed a paper that set out a draft framework for developing a coordinated and meaningful international work programme, for the Fifth Assembly.

They were supportive of the intentions of the framework, to position the Assembly on the international stage as a small but distinct, innovative and progressive legislature, and agreed that the Commission’s international engagement should be supported through a clear purpose. In particular they flagged the importance of being outwards looking, sharing what we do, and identifying other areas where there might be a role we could develop for further opportunities.

A delivery plan will be worked up, taking account of the Commission’s views.

Following the departure of the Commission’s previous EU Advisor, Commissioners were told of the new arrangements that had been put in place, taking account of the changed landscape following the EU referendum. 

The new postholder will be based in Cardiff and travel frequently to Brussels to continue to network and represent the Assembly’s interests and facilitate Member and committee visits.

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Gregg Jones provided Commissioners with an update on the EU-related activities of the Assembly and the work of the EU Office in supporting and co-ordinating this work.

Commissioners held a broad ranging discussion and acknowledged the benefits of working in Europe, in particular working with other regions in Europe and getting the voice of Wales and the Assembly heard. They also recognised the value and benefits of having an EU Office in Brussels.

Commissioners felt that some Members may not have a particularly extensive knowledge of the work done by the Assembly in Europe, and suggested that consideration be given to looking at how the Assembly’s EU work is communicated to Members to help address this. They welcomed plans from the EU Office to launch a new monthly update – the Brussels Report – aimed at all committees. Its purpose will be to draw to committees’ attention to key strategic developments at EU level relevant to Wales; and to provide a ‘tracker’ of important legislative dossiers in the system (or about to be proposed).

Looking ahead to the remaining 18 months of the Fourth Assembly, and beyond, the Commission sought to maintain and build on the high quality of engagement to date by the Assembly on EU affairs.

Commissioners agreed to visit Brussels, with a view to meeting with the Welsh MEPs and other key players in the EU Institutions. They also supported secondments/training opportunities to the EU Office and agreed to explore opportunities for the secondment of Assembly staff to the EU Institutions – in particular the European Parliament and European Commission.

Commissioners saw a real advantage in having a separate committee to look at European issues, but recognised the pressures on Members and their time. They also acknowledged that the current model of integrating European work into the responsibilities of the other committees has been effective. They agreed to address the pros and cons of the approaches in their legacy report.

The Commission was also supportive of the idea of exploring potential benefits to the Assembly of participating in EU funding programmes, for example the Erasmus+ Programme which includes support for structured dialogues between citizens, youth democracy projects, mobility actions and other forms of active citizen engagement.