Agenda and minutes

1.1 The Chair welcomed Members to the virtual meeting of the Children, Young People and Education Committee.

1.2 In accordance with Standing Order 34.19, the Chair stated that she had determined that the public were excluded from the Committee’s meeting in order to protect public health.

1.3 The Chair stated that if for any reason she dropped out of the meeting, the Committee agreed that Dawn Bowden MS would become Temporary Chair in accordance with Standing Order 17.22.

1.4 The Chair noted apologies from Hefin David MS and Siân Gwenllian MS. The Chair welcomed Joyce Watson MS and Helen Mary Jones MS as substitutes.

1.5 The Chair also welcomed Russell George MS to the meeting in his capacity as Chair of the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee, given the Committee’s interest in skills, research and innovation.

Professor Medwin Hughes, Vice-Chancellor - University of Wales Trinity Saint David and of the University of Wales

Kieron Rees, Head of External Affairs and Policy - Universities Wales

Professor Elizabeth Treasure, Vice-Chancellor - Aberystwyth University

Professor Paul Boyle, Vice-Chancellor – Swansea University

Dr David Blaney, Chief Executive - HEFCW

2.1 The Committee heard evidence from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David and of the University of Wales, Universities Wales, Aberystwyth University, Swansea University and Higher Education Funding Council for Wales. 

3.1 The motion was agreed.

4.1 The Committee considered the evidence it heard in the previous session.

Dr Rachel Bowen, Director of Policy and Public Affairs - ColegauCymru / CollegesWales

Dr Andrew Cornish, Principal and Chief Executive - Coleg Sir Gar and Coleg Ceredigion

Philip Blaker, Chief Executive – Qualifications Wales

Denver Davies, Head of Monitoring and Compliance – Qualifications Wales

5.1 The Committee heard evidence from ColegauCymru / CollegesWales, Coleg Sir Gar and Coleg Ceredigion and Qualifications Wales.

6.1 The motion was agreed.

7.1 The Committee considered the evidence it heard in the previous session.

Joe Atkinson, Press and Public Affairs Consultant – NUS Wales

Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor - WONKHE

Dr Myfanwy Davies, Council Governor appointed by Academic Staff - Bangor University

Dan Beard, UNISON Higher Education executive member and chair of UNISON Cymru Wales

8.1 The Committee heard evidence from NUS Wales, WONKHE, Bangor University and UNISON Cymru Wales.

9.1 The papers were noted.

10.1 The motion was agreed.

11.1 The Committee considered the evidence it heard in the previous session.

12.1 The Committee considered its approach to the Bill.

12.2 Members agreed the timetable in principle, subject to the availability of meeting slots.

12.3 The Committee noted that it was expecting a high volume of responses to the consultation given the interest in this Bill. It further noted that it would keep the Business Committee and Welsh Government updated should the high volume of responses, or the current emergency operating arrangements, cause any difficulties in terms of the proposed timetable.