Agenda item
Minutes of 20 January, actions and matters arising
- Meeting of Senedd Commission Audit and Risk Assurance Committee, Monday, 27 April 2020 10.00 (Item 2.)
- View the background to item 2.
Minutes:
ACARAC (02-20) Paper 1 - Minutes of 20 January 2020
ACARAC (02-20) Paper 2 – Summary of actions
2.1
The minutes of the 20 January meeting
were agreed.
2.2
Committee members agreed to have
further discussions with officials to take forward actions around attending a
future Executive Board meeting to discuss the strategy for the sixth Senedd,
and a briefing session with Members’ Business Support on the monitoring of
Assembly Members’ expenses.
2.3
Gareth responded to questions on
timescales for implementation of the cyber security audit recommendations and
for conducting the audit on compliance culture. Gareth explained that due to
the disruption caused by the Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak, and his
involvement in the leadership of the Commission’s response, some audit work
would be delayed.
2.4
The Chair invited Arwyn to update the Committee on
the communications plan for the name change project. Arwyn explained that, as
the name change date was set in legislation, there was no scope to change it.
However, due to the Covid-19 outbreak, the planned launch events had been
replaced with a more low key approach, with the possibility of a harder launch
later in the year. He also explained that discussions were ongoing around the
opportunities presented by the lowering of the voting age to allow 16 and 17
year olds to vote, registrations for which would be opening on 1 June 2020 (for
the 2021 Senedd elections) to further launch or raise awareness of the name
change.
2.5
Committee members acknowledged the change in
approach and discussed the potential for raising awareness through social media
channels, including those of Assembly Members, along with the use of focus
groups. In response, Arwyn outlined plans to increase expertise within the
Commission on the use of social media. It was noted that the messages should be
kept as simple as possible to help the public understand the role of the Senedd
as a legislature and holding the Welsh Government to account.
2.6
The Committee noted there had been early engagement
with key stakeholders and that there would be a written statement from the
Llywydd on 6 May.
2.7
The Chair thanked Arwyn for the update and asked
him to keep the Committee informed of communication plans. It was agreed that
the Committee would return to this at the June meeting.
Actions
·
(2.2) The Chair and Dave to discuss with the Chair
of the Remuneration, Engagement and Workforce Advisory Committee, the timing of
a meeting of Executive Board with Independent Advisers to discuss the strategy
for the sixth Senedd.
·
(2.2) The Chair and Gareth to discuss the best
approach to providing the briefing to ACARAC on the work of Members’ Business
Support (MBS) and the monitoring of Assembly Members’ expenses
·
(2.3) Gareth to discuss with Suzy timeframes for
implementing recommendations from review of cyber-security
·
(2.3) Gareth to advise on timing of the review of
compliance culture
· (2.7) Arwyn to share details of revised communications strategy on name change with ACARAC members – and provide feedback to ACARAC at June meeting