Agenda and minutes

1.1. The Chair welcomed Members to the meeting of the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee.

1.2. In accordance with Standing Order 34.19, the Chair stated that he 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 he dropped out of the meeting, the Committee agreed that Dawn Bowden MS would become Temporary Chair in accordance with Standing Order 17.22.

Nick Bennett, Public Services Ombudsman for Wales

Chris Vinestock, Chief Operating Officer & Director of Improvement

Katrin Shaw, Chief Legal Adviser & Director of Investigations

Public Services Ombudsman for Wales: annual report and accounts 2019/20

2.1. The Committee received evidence from:

·         Nick Bennett, Public Services Ombudsman for Wales

·         Chris Vinestock, Chief Operating Officer & Director of Improvement

·         Katrin Shaw, Chief Legal Adviser & Director of Investigations

2.2. The Committee agreed to write to the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales with questions that were not reached during the evidence session.

3.1.a The Committee noted the correspondence from the Older People's Commissioner for Wales in relation to the inquiry into COVID-19.

3.2.a The Committee noted the letter from the Minister for Housing and Local Government to the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee in relation to the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill.

3.3.a The Committee noted the additional information from the Welsh Government in relation to the Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill.

4.1.  The Committee agreed the motion.

5.1. The Committee discussed the evidence received under item 3.

6.1. The Committee discussed and agreed arrangements for Stage 2 proceedings for the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill.