Agenda item

ARAC (22-06) Paper 3 - Senedd Reform Programme Update

3.1 The Chair thanked Siwan Davies and her team for the thorough and well-presented documentation, which included the papers presented to the recent Senedd Reform Programme Board meeting.
 

3.2 On 15 June, the Committee considered the Senedd Reform corporate risk in depth. On 7 October, the Executive Board agreed the terms of reference and membership of the Senedd Reform Programme Board (‘the SRPB’) and these were included in the papers. 

3.3 Siwan outlined the governance arrangements for managing all of the elements of the reform agenda, of which the SRPB formed a part, as outlined in the diagram at Annex A. As well as preparing for the parliamentary business of the Seventh Senedd, this also included co-ordinating and supporting the passage of the Senedd Reform Bill and the reform of the Determination on Members’ Pay and Allowances, and delivering the Ways of Working Programme and business as usual.

3.4 Siwan referred to the establishment of the Senedd Commission-Welsh Government Joint Assurance Board, terms of reference for which were included in the papers. She also referred to the high-level timeline and milestones, also included in the papers, which included progress to date. In terms of the budget, Siwan confirmed that there would be a set of common assumptions with the Welsh Government and the Independent Remuneration Board, and a single source of information on costings.

3.5 Siwan referred to the Senedd Reform risk included in the papers and highlighted the additional risks around the potential impact of the changing economic climate on budgets, capacity, and political decisions on the direction of travel. 
 

3.6 The Chair was assured that the appropriate governance arrangements were in place and wanted to discuss the timeline, co-ordination and project management, and the dependency on the Independent Remuneration Board.
 

3.7 Ann Beynon was also assured by the approach to project management and asked for clarity around whether the risks were for the Welsh Government or the Commission to manage. She also wanted to ensure that someone had an overview of any deterioration in views, such as a potential legal challenge and the capacity of local authorities to run the elections. Ann also wanted to discuss the timetable, in particular around the boundary review taking place after Royal Assent and the decision to remain in Tŷ Hywel in the Seventh Senedd.

3.8 Aled Eirug also questioned political support for the boundary review and asked how potentially contentious issues around constituencies would be managed. He also asked for clarity on how officials were dealing with the relationship and inter-dependencies of the parliamentary project and the Ways of Working Programme.
 

3.9 Siwan and Anna responded to these points, as follows:

a.      The potential for legal challenge was captured on the Welsh Government’s risk register and a Joint Assurance Board risk register would be created.

b.      The internal arrangements for the Commission, Executive Board, the Senedd Reform Programme Board, and the Ways of Working Programme Board were aligned, in sequence and working on common assumptions.

c.       It was the responsibility of the Welsh Government to work with the local authorities to deliver electoral reform and to prepare them for the elections. This would be covered through regular update at the Joint Assurance Board based on joint stakeholder mapping.

d.      The timeline for the boundary review set out in the papers was indicative and it was for the Welsh Government to work with the Boundary Commission to make sure they were as prepared as possible, as this could not be completed until the Bill had been passed.

e.      Information and costings would be provided to the Welsh Government as part of a Regulatory Impact Assessment for publication in the Explanatory Memorandum that would accompany the Bill, likely to be required by Spring 2023.
 

3.10 In response to questions about the relationship with the Independent Remuneration Board, Siwan provided assurance that communication between that Board, the Senedd Commission and Business Committee was well co-ordinated. She also referred to the work undertaken to streamline the Regulatory Framework for Members of the Senedd to help clarify responsibility for decision-making.

3.11 In terms of the risks around delivering Senedd Reform, Siwan described the challenges around political decision-making and estimating resource implications. She provided assurance that there was common understanding of the risks, and that mitigation was being actively developed. Ken added that proposals could potentially be impacted by any public discourse and the Welsh Government’s response.

3.12 In response to further questions about internal governance and reporting arrangements, Manon described how the SRPB, of which Siwan was chair, reported to the Executive Board, of which she was chair. The Executive Board would maintain strategic oversight of Senedd Reform and Ways of Working Programmes and, as well as regular updates, fortnightly meetings provided the opportunity to discuss any decisions or issues arising.

3.13 The Committee welcomed this substantive update and the opportunity to discuss the key risks and issues and to note progress of the Senedd Reform Programme. It was noted that, as this was a standing agenda item, a further update on progress would be provided at the February ARAC meeting.