Establishment and remits of committees

As soon as possible after a Senedd election, the Business Committee must table a motion or motions proposing the titles and remits of committees (Standing Order 16.2). In doing so, the Business Committee must ensure that:

• every area of responsibility of the government and associated public bodies is subject to the scrutiny of a committee or committees;
• all matters relating to the legislative competence of the Senedd and functions of the Welsh Ministers and of the Counsel General are subject to the scrutiny of a committee or committees; and
• where reasonably practicable, there is a broad balance between the delivery of responsibilities to:
• examine the expenditure, administration and policy of the government and associated public bodies; and
• examine legislation.

The procedure for establishing committees and the allocation of chairs of committees are explained in detail in Section F of the Guide to early Plenary business after the May 2021 election.

Following changes to ministerial portfolios, Business Committee wrote to committee chairs on 22 May 2024, to seek their views on the current committee remits.