Meetings

ARAC (23-01) Paper 10 – Forward Work Programme

11.1 The forward work programme was discussed and new members were encouraged to suggest items they would like considered at future meetings.

11.2 The Chair welcomed Menai’s suggestion that updates on progress of the Ways of Working programme should be a standing item at every meeting, alongside the updates on the Senedd Reform programme. 

11.3 The Clerking team were also asked to arrange meetings for July and the autumn term.

Actions

·         Provide corporate updates on delivery of the Ways of Working Programme at each ARAC meeting alongside the corporate updates on Senedd Reform.

·         Clerking team to arrange meetings for July and the autumn term. 

ARAC (22-06) Paper 12 – Forward Work Programme

16.1 The forward work programme was noted and would be shared out of committee for comment.

ARAC (22-03) Paper 10 – Forward Work Programme

11.1 The Committee agreed on the proposed items to be discussed at the informal meeting in July. A revised forward work programme would be shared and published after that meeting.

ARAC (22-02) Paper 14 – Forward Work Programme

19.1 The Committee noted the forward work programme and the clerking team confirmed that a date for the autumn meeting would be arranged shortly.

ARAC (05-21) Paper 12 – Forward Work Programme

15.1 The Committee noted the forward work programme.

15.2 The Chair confirmed that the Data Protection risks would be critically examined at the April meeting.  He added that the July meeting would be retained for strategic discussions and an agenda item on climate change had already been noted.

ARAC (05-21) Paper 12 – Forward Work Programme

21.1 The Committee noted the forward work programme and the Chair asked for the Estates Strategy and the Communication and Engagement Strategy to be shared out of committee.

ARAC (02-21) Paper 16 – Forward Work Programme

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11.1       The Chair encouraged Committee members to suggest agenda items for future meetings.  At the July meeting, an updated Assurance Framework would be presented as well as an item to discuss engagement with the new Commission to determine their risk appetite.

11.2       Committee members suggested consideration be given to engaging with the following, including the option of possible attendance at future meetings:

·         Auditor General for Wales

·         Standards Commissioner

·         Chair of the Remuneration Board

·         Experts in cyber security and IT infrastructure.

11.3       They also suggested information on the planned maintenance of the estate as well as the future accommodation strategy be shared with the Committee, including the upcoming negotiations on the lease of Tŷ Hywel. 

ARAC (02-21) Paper 16 – Forward Work Programme

20.1      The Committee had no changes to make to the Committee’s work programme.

21.0      Item 20 – Any other business

Oral item

21.1      No other business was raised.

Audit Wales attended a private session with members of the Committee once formal proceedings had concluded. No minutes were taken.

Next meeting is scheduled for 18 June 2021.

16.1    The Committee had no changes to make to the Committee’s work programme.

ARAC (05-20) Paper 10 – Forward Work Programme

16.1 This item would be discussed out of committee.

ACARAC (01-20) Paper 13 – Forward Work Programme

16.1    As this item was not discussed – Committee members would be invited to comment out of committee.

Next meeting is scheduled for 27 April 2020.

ACARAC (05-19) Paper 11 – Forward Work Programme

18.1     As this item was not discussed – Committee members would be invited to comment out of committee.

ACARAC (04-19) Paper 5 – Forward Work Programme

6.1  Whilst the Committee would be provided with updates on the priority areas outlined in item 5 above as a matter of course, it was agreed that the following items would be added to the forward work programme for consideration:

·         an update on scenario planning for Brexit at the October meeting;

·         an update on the testing of responses to cyber security incidents, as part of the regular update at the October meeting;

·         evaluation of the new governance structure and arrangements i.e. Executive Board and Leadership Team; and

·         feedback on development of the Commission’s communication and engagement strategies, including considerations by REWAC.

6.2    The Committee agreed to consider a joint session with REWAC to discuss how they, and possibly external experts, could add value to development of the Commission’s communication and engagement strategies.

6.3    The Chair asked members to contribute any further changes or additions to the forward work programme.

6.4    It was agreed that a presentation at a Committee meeting by the Wales Governance Centre in the past had been useful to bring an external perspective on the political situation and the Chair agreed to consider repeating this for a future meeting.

7.0    Any other business

7.1    Nia asked for the views of Committee members on areas that were likely to be raised during her attendance at a forthcoming Finance Committee evidence session around the Public (Wales) Audit Act, particularly around the setting of audit fees.

7.2    The Committee discussed the setting of audit fees in general across the public sector and Gareth Lucey outlined the process for setting fees for auditing the Commission’s accounts. He confirmed that they would continue to look at ways of reducing the fee further although it was agreed that this was difficult because of efficiencies that had been introduced. He also confirmed that the internal audits on Assembly Members expenses as well as other internal audits had helped to keep the costs down.

7.3    Gareth Watts added that, whilst the scope for reliance on internal audit was limited, the joint working protocol between the Commission and the WAO helped to maximise that reliance and avoid duplication.

7.4    The Chair thanked Committee members and officials for their attendance and contributions.

8.0      Private session

8.1    Gareth Lucey attended a private session with members of the Committee once formal proceedings concluded. No minutes were taken.

Next meeting is scheduled for 21 October 2019.

ACARAC (03-19) Paper 15 – Forward Work Programme

14.1     The Chair asked Committee members to feed in any comments on the Forward Work Programme ahead of his meeting with the clerking team.

14.2     The Chair thanked Committee members and officials for their attendance and contributions.

Next meeting is scheduled for 15 July.

ACARAC (02-19) Paper 17 – Forward Work Programme

14.1     The Committee noted the revised forward work programme and agreed to the Clerking team re-arranging a private session with the WAO. 

Next meeting is scheduled for 17 June 2019.

ACARAC (01-19) Paper 15 – Forward Work Programme

14.1     The Chair asked Committee members to confirm availability for the autumn meeting on 21 October 2019 and to liaise with the clerking team about agenda items for future meetings.  

Next meeting is scheduled for 25 March 2019.

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15.1     This would be subject to change depending on suggestions from the new Independent Advisors.

Next meeting is scheduled for 11 February 2019.

ACARAC (04-18) Paper 7 – Forward Work Programme

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9.1     The Committee welcomed the forward work programme and asked the Clerking team to ensure an induction programme was planned/established for new ACARAC members.

Next meeting is scheduled for 26 November 2018.

ACARAC (03-18) - Forward Work Programme

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12.1     The Committee discussed the items listed on the forward work programme for July.

12.2     The clerking team would share a draft agenda with Committee members as soon as possible. 

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13.0   Private session

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13.1     Manon Antoniazzi attended a private session with members of the Committee once formal proceedings concluded. No minutes were taken.

Next meeting is scheduled for 9 July 2018.

ACARAC (02-18) Forward Work Programme

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20.1     The Committee agreed to add the following items to the agenda for the July meeting: reflections from Keith on his role as Independent Adviser to the Commission; an update on Assembly Reform, Brexit, and Accommodation; the outcome of the inquiry into the Remuneration Board’s Determination Underspend; and delivery of the Capacity Review objectives. The Clerking team would update and publish a revised forward work programme.

20.   Private session

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21.1     Gareth Watts attended a private session with members of the Committee once formal proceedings concluded. No minutes were taken.

Next meeting is scheduled for 16 June 2018.

ACARAC (01-18) Paper 13 – Forward Work Programme

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11.1     The Committee noted the updated forward work programme.

11.2    The Chair wished to remind the Chief Executive that his tenure as Chair and Independent Advisor and Keith Baldwin’s role as Independent Advisor and Committee member would expire in October 2018.         

11.3     During the meeting it was agreed to add the following items:

-      Head of ICT and Head of Infrastructure & Operations Management to present an item on Cyber Security at the April meeting.  

-      Dave to present the prioritisation criteria for projects/programmes at the April meeting. 

-      Secretariat to work with officials and Chair to determine what items can be presented for discussion at the July meeting. 

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12.0   Other business

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12.1     Finally, the Committee wanted to extend their congratulations and best wishes to Adrian Crompton, Director of Assembly Business on his recent appointment as the Auditor General for Wales.   

13.0   Private session

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13.1     The WAO attended a private session with members of the Committee once formal proceedings concluded. No minutes were taken.

ACARAC (05-17) Paper 20 – Forward Work Programme

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16.1     The Committee noted the updated forward work programme.

Next meeting is scheduled for 5 February 2018.

ACARAC (04-17) Paper 7 – Forward Work Programme

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6.1        The forward work programme was noted and would be published on the Committee’s website.  

6.2        Finally, the Chair mentioned his presentation of the ACARAC annual report at a recent Assembly Commission meeting on Monday 17 July.  The report was welcomed by the Commissioners and they were encouraged by the quality and results of audit reports, and by the focus on cyber security. 

6.3        He had also highlighted the need to capture and report on progress of projects and programmes through the Key Performance Indicator (KPI) report.     

Next meeting is scheduled for 27 November 2017.