Reviewing Committee Effectiveness in the Sixth Senedd

The Chairs’ Forum is seeking views on committee effectiveness in the Sixth Senedd to help inform the Seventh Senedd committee structure.

The Chairs’ Forum (“the Forum”) is made up of all the Chairs of the Senedd committees and is responsible for maximising the efficiency and effectiveness of committees, through coordination, collective leadership, and information exchange. It provides a space to address cross-cutting scrutiny issues, share good practice, and look more strategically at the work of committees.

The Forum is considering how committees have operated during the Sixth Senedd and any changes that could be made to committee procedures and practices for the Seventh Senedd to ensure the scrutiny function is as effective as possible. The Forum is keen to consider wider cultural issues around the operation of Senedd committees, as well as practical matters such as size and function.

The Future Senedd Committee made a number of recommendations to the Forum about considerations for committees in the Seventh Senedd, and these have been factored into the questions in this consultation.

Further information about the work of committees in the Sixth Senedd and considerations for future committee structures is set out on the attached consultation document but the Forum is keen to hear views on the following areas in particular:

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>>> Committee culture

>>> Organisation of Committee Business

>>> Interactions with Senedd Committees

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This consultation seeks to gather a range of views, and you are welcome to answer some or all the questions. Please submit your response by 12 September 2025 to ChairsForum@Senedd.wales.

Providing Written Evidence

The Senedd has two official languages, Welsh and English.

In line with the Senedd’s Official Languages Scheme, the Committee welcomes contributions in both or either of our official languages, and we ask organisations that are subject to Welsh Language standards or schemes to respond in line with their own obligations. Please inform the Committee when submitting responses if you intend to provide a translation at a later date.

Please see guidance for those providing evidence for committees.

Disclosure of information

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