Meetings

The Commission reviewed and updated their Action Plan in response to the recommendations contained in the report of the review of Commission effectiveness.

paper 2

In line with corporate governance best practice and the Assembly Commission’s governance principles a review of the Commission’s effectiveness had been completed between January and April 2014. This had assessed progress against the recommendations made in the first review, presented in January 2013, and identified some actions for the future. The exercise had been carried out by the Commission’s Head of Internal Audit, Gareth Watts.

The review found that the Commission had continued to make progress. Commissioners had displayed effective oversight of significant projects such as ICT Futures and the Machine Translation project. The development of tools such as the key performance indicators had resulted in a sharper strategic focus, greater accountability and transparency. 

Individual Commissioners had demonstrated a strong command of their respective portfolios, taking the lead in discussion of their areas of responsibility and forging effective working relationships with staff operating in those areas. As the members of a governing board, Commissioners had felt that they were able to take a corporate view on matters and give clarity to their party groups and the public about the decisions taken.

Commissioners accepted the proposals in the paper, including the development of an action plan for implementing the report’s recommendations. It was felt that the review had been a valuable exercise in identifying where the Commission had worked well and opportunities for the forthcoming 12 months. A further review would be carried out next year. Gareth Watts was thanked for completing the review.