Agenda and minutes

1.1        The Chair welcomed Members and members of the public to the meeting.

1.2        Apologies for absence were received from Caroline Jones AM.

Elan Closs Stephens CBE, Electoral Commissioner, Electoral Commission in Wales

Rhydian Thomas, Head of Electoral Commission, Electoral Commission in Wales

Rhys George, Chair, Association of Electoral Administrators Wales

Ian Westley, Wales Electoral Coordination Board

Consultation responses

2.1 The Committee received evidence from:

·         Elan Closs Stephens CBE, Electoral Commissioner, Electoral Commission in Wales

·         Rhydian Thomas, Head of Electoral Commission, Electoral Commission in Wales

·         Rhys George, Chair, Association of Electoral Administrators Wales

·         Ian Westley, Wales Electoral Coordination Board

2.2 During the evidence session, Ian Westley agreed to share a report on Pembrokeshire Council’s ‘Democracy and Champions’ event with the Committee.

Lyn Cadwallader, Chief Executive, One Voice Wales

Robert Robinson, Secretary to the North and Mid Wales Association of Local Councils

Rob Smith, Chief Executive, The Society of Local Council Clerks

Mark Galbraith, Wales Policy Officer, The Society of Local Council Clerks

3.1 The Committee received evidence from:

·         Lyn Cadwallader, Chief Executive, One Voice Wales

·         Robert Robinson, Secretary to the North and Mid Wales Association of Local Councils

·         Rob Smith, Chief Executive, The Society of Local Council Clerks

·         Mark Galbraith, Wales Policy Officer, The Society of Local Council Clerks

Catherine Fookes, Director, Women’s Equality Network Wales

4.1 The Committee received evidence from:

·       Catherine Fookes, Director, Women’s Equality Network Wales

5.1a The Committee noted the correspondence from Tracey Burke, Welsh Government to the Chair of the Public Accounts Committee regarding town and community councils in Wales.

5.2a The Committee noted the correspondence from Martin Peters, Wales Audit Office regarding the Local Government & Elections (Wales) Bill.

5.3a The Committee noted the correspondence from the Temporary Chair of the Public Accounts Committee regarding the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill.

6.1 The Committee agreed the motion.  

7.1 The Committee discussed the evidence received under item 2,3 and 4.

8.1 The Committee discussed and agreed their response to the correspondence sent from the Committee on Assembly Electoral Reform.