Agenda and minutes
Venue: Conference Room 4B - Tŷ Hywel
Contact: Sulafa Thomas, x6227
No. | Item |
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Introduction |
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Introduction and apologies Minutes: No apologies
were received from Commission members. Eric Gregory had sent apologies that he was unable to attend the meeting as planned. |
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Declarations of interest Minutes: There were no declarations of interest. |
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Minutes of the previous meeting Minutes: The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed. |
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Youth Parliament and Twentieth Anniversary Update Minutes: Youth Parliament update Commissioners
were updated about the first full event of the Youth Parliament, which had
taken place the previous week. The
Llywydd described what an uplifting experience it had been and gave credit to
those involved and all the preparatory work that had been done. The
Youth Parliament meeting can be viewed here: http://www.senedd.tv/Meeting/Archive/79aa22a2-0253-4a7e-badb-3baf239e5ff3?autostart=True Arrangements to mark the
Twentieth Anniversary of the National Assembly Commissioners
were provided with an update on arrangements to mark the National Assembly’s
twentieth year commencing on the anniversary of the first election 6 May 2019. Commissioners
agreed that the anniversary provides a unique opportunity to connect with the
people of Wales and wanted to see an increase in all parts of the country. They
discussed opportunities to involve AM’s and creating opportunities for them to
lead events in their own constituencies and regions, emphasising the particular
importance of reaching out to disadvantaged and disengaged communities. Commissioners
discussed the importance of Assembly Members being committed to participating
in these types of activities, whether as individuals or as part of committees,
learning lessons from Senedd@ exercises. They discussed in some detail the prospect of holding a Citizens’ Assembly and the role this could play in stimulating ideas to contribute to the future work of the Assembly. Various models were available, the proposal favoured involving demographically balanced recruitment of participants by a specialist firm. |
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Commission Resource Capacity Minutes: Commissioners considered an update on staff
resources. In particular, there was discussion about the risk to the
institution of insufficient staff resource to meet the needs, previously
identified as potential pressures, relating to Brexit work. The
Commission authorised officials to discuss and develop a business plan for a
potential increase in staff numbers up to ten above the current cap, whilst
remaining within the current budgetary envelop, for further discussion with the
Commission and Finance Committee. |
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Assembly Reform Update Oral item Minutes: The Llywydd
provided Commissioners with an update on developments since the Senedd and
Elections (Wales) Bill was introduced on 12 February. Business Committee has agreed
the timetable for the Bill, including stage 1 being completed before summer
recess, and amending stages taking place over autumn term. The Llywydd would be
giving evidence to committees as part of their legislative scrutiny - to
Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee on 11 March and Finance
Committee on 4 April. The Llywydd asked Commissioners to play an active role in feeding back issues of concern raised or discussed in in other for a as the Bill continues through the legislative process. |
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Papers to note: |
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Executive Board update (RAD decisions) Minutes: Commissioners noted the routine update, which is provided to each Commission meeting. |
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Any other business ·
Letter
from Joyce Watson Minutes: ·
Minimum
pay - Joyce Watson raised the subject of the recent pay settlement for
Commission staff, welcoming it as a positive agreement. However, she expressed
concern that contract staff working here should receive minimum pay in line
with our minimum pay level. Commissioners were supportive of the principle and
requested further information be provided to a future meeting to enable a
decision to be taken. ·
Tribunal
– Commissioners were briefly updated about an ongoing Employment Tribunal. In the period since the previous meeting Commissioners had finalised their Policy for the provision of monuments, memorials and plaques, and agreed Responses to recommendations from the Standards Committee and Health, Social Care and Sport Committee. |