Meetings

Commissioners were provided with information on arrangements which would be in place following the demise of the Monarch and including travel plans for Members at that time.

This paper provided the Commission with an update on a number of ongoing key issues:

Flow of information – The Commission noted that the First Minister had agreed to provide access to Welsh Government officials by the Research Service when pursuing requests on behalf of Assembly Members.  The Assembly Commission was pleased to note that the issue had been resolved.

Security Issues – The Commission considered the position outlined in the report and noted that formal negotiations on shift changes for security guards had been on-going since October 2010.  The proposal would reduce the overtime bill and increase efficiency and the Assembly’s ability to provide improved security cover across the estate.  A number of security guards had accepted the new working pattern.  The Presiding Officer had received correspondence from the PCS Union which had been shared with Commissioners.  A formal response to the correspondence would be prepared.  The Commission agreed that the negotiations should proceed as sensitively as possible.

Grant of catering contract – The Commission noted that the contract had now been awarded.

Bilingual Services – A meeting had been held with the Welsh Language Board on 15 June prior to the publication of the report on the Board’s investigation on the translation into Welsh of the Record of Proceedings.  It was noted that the Board had found the Assembly to be in breach of its Welsh Language Scheme.  The Commission would be discussing the issue in full at its meeting on 14 July.

Vulnerable Witnesses – The Commission noted the vulnerable witness programme which would provide guidance to Assembly committees and staff on how witnesses should be treated when interacting with the Assembly.  The protocol was welcomed by the Assembly Commission.