Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies.

Lesley Griffiths was welcomed to her first meeting as Commissioner, taking on the Governance portfolio. The Llywydd would continue to lead the Commission’s budget processes relating to Budget 2026/27 retaining the Finance/Budget portfolio responsibilities.

There were no declarations of interest.

Commissioners agreed the Minutes of the meeting on 22 September 2025.

Commissioners were updated on the progress of the 2026-27 Senedd Commission Budget through its scrutiny process, since the draft had been agreed by the Commission on 22 September.

The Finance Committee had held a scrutiny session on 1 October 2025 and Commissioners noted the Committee’s Report, which had been published on 21 October 2025, and which supported the overall request for resource in 2026-27, recommending the Senedd support the Commission budget.

Commissioners discussed their response to the recommendations raised in the Finance Committee Report, and agreed that additional work be undertaken in relation to IFRS and additional detail being included before the response was sent to the Committee.

Commissioners also considered the future support needs of the Senedd, agreeing that additional financial information should be provided to the Seventh Senedd Business Committee so that decisions that committee made about Senedd business activity could be informed by cost information.

They approved the Final Budget for 2026-27 noting that, following approval by the Commission, the Final Budget document for 2026-27 would be laid on 12 November 2025 with the Budget Motion expected to be debated in plenary on 19 November 2025.

Commissioners considered the proposed welcome arrangements for Members and their staff following the Senedd election in 2026.

Commissioners supported the proposed outline for the development of the Welcome, Oath taking and early information and guidance to new Members.

The Welcome would include events focussed around the Senedd estate and prioritising in-person contact, aiming to create a professional, polished and relaxed event that ensures a positive first impression for new Members and their families.

The aim would be to begin building constructive professional relationships by familiarising Members with the estate and key people providing services, as well as with the frameworks within which Members of the Senedd need to work.

Commissioners also agreed the updated principles and priorities, which provide the framework for the provision of training for Members and staff.

At the next Commission meeting, a further paper would be provided setting out a framework for the introductory briefings and training programme for Members and Support Staff in the period following the election, prioritised to make sure Members receive the information and training they need at the right time.

Commissioners received an update from Joyce Watson on the progress of the Family-Friendly and Inclusive Parliament Review and the positive progress made since the Board overseeing the review first met, including a visit to the Scottish Parliament.

The Board had agreed terms of reference to the review, named the Family-Friendly and Inclusive Parliament Review; commissioned academics to undertake the research underpinning the audit; and to utilise topics and questions set out by organisations such as the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, enabling comparison of the results with other legislatures in the UK and internationally.

Commissioners noted the update on the Review and that the production of the Board’s report on the review was planned for early 2026.

Commissioners received an update of the progress of the procurement phase of the Bay 32 project and noted that an Outline Business Case (OBC) would be presented to the meeting on 18 December for ratification. The OBC would set out the preferred solution. A Pre-Development Agreement, to be entered into with the supplier of the preferred solution, would be presented alongside the OBC for consideration and approval.

Commissioners were presented with detail of their commissioned crèche feasibility study, its overall conclusions and recommended next steps.

The Commission’s objective had been to establish an initial evidence base to better understand the childcare needs of Members and prospective Members, and to explore practical and proportionate options for meeting them, including the recommendation made by the Future Senedd Committee for a crèche provision.

The study found that childcare remained a barrier to participation in parliamentary life, especially for women and those with young children. While an on-site crèche was explored, this first-stage report found that there would be a significant risk of it being financially and operationally unviable and unlikely to meet Member needs.

Commissioners noted the executive summary and full report of the crèche feasibility study and agreed that, as a result of the conclusions of this feasibility study, no dedicated additional space allocation be made for on-site childcare provision within the approved Bay 32 plans at this time. This would not preclude pursuing on-site provision at any time from within the existing estate.

They agreed that the proposed next steps for the work should be progressed and should incorporate options relating to onsite childcare provision (from within the existing estate) as well as the content of the report.

Commissioners noted the letter from the Chief Executive to the Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee with information requested following the scrutiny session held on 2 October on the Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25.

Commissioners noted the letter from the Commission to the Finance Committee with information requested following the scrutiny session held on 1 October on the Draft Budget 2026-27

Commissioners noted the routine summary of recruitment decisions provided to each Commission meeting.

The Llywydd informed Commissioners of two matters which had been raised with her, that she anticipated bringing to a future meeting of the Commission, relating to memorials.

Lesley Griffiths informed the Commission that she is an ambassador for the Rhodri Morgan Trust.