Committee chair job sharing

The Business Committee has agreed to look at the potential for job sharing in the role of committee chair.

In recent years, interest has developed in the potential role of job sharing in the context of parliamentary offices. It is also a matter that has been raised as part of the consideration given to Senedd reform.

The Committee has chosen to focus initially on job sharing in the role of committee chair – and this role alone – on the basis that no changes to the law are expected to be needed if the Senedd chose to introduce such arrangements for committee chairs. Subject to the Senedd’s agreement, it could therefore be possible for the necessary procedural and practical framework to be in place before the end of this Senedd term in 2026.

Evidence gathering

Phase 1

The Business Committee is conscious of the novel nature of committee chair job sharing and the potential opportunities and challenges such arrangements could pose in a parliamentary setting. On that basis, the Business Committee ran a targeted call for evidence, which closed on 17 September 2024.

Phase 2

In the autumn term, the Business Committee undertook a second phase of consultation. This focused on Senedd Members, Senedd political groups, the Independent Remuneration Board of the Senedd, the Senedd Commission and the Chairs’ Forum. It asked for their views on a set of proposals that will reflect the Business Committee’s consideration of the outcomes of the targeted call for evidence undertaken during phase 1.

The Business Committee anticipates that, if the work results in a proposal that the Senedd introduce job sharing for committee chairs, arrangements would be on a pilot basis that would inform - but not set in stone - any future approach to job sharing in other Senedd offices.