Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill
A Welsh Government Bill, introduced by Mick Antoniw MS, Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution. The Business Committee referred the Bill to the Reform Bill Committee for Stage 1 scrutiny of the general principles.
The Business Committee referred the Bill to the Committee of the Whole Senedd for Stage 2 (Committee consideration of amendments).
Following the appointment of the First Minister on 20 March
2024, and appointment of the new Cabinet, Mick Antoniw MS, Counsel General was authorised
as Member in Charge of the Bill by the First Minister in accordance with
Standing Order 24.4(ii).
About the Bill
If passed, the Bill will:
>>>>
>>>Increase the size of the Senedd to 96 Members.
>>>Decrease the length of time between Senedd ordinary general elections from five to four years.
>>>Increase the maximum number of Deputy Presiding Officers from one to two.
>>>Increase the legislative limit on the size of the Welsh Government to 17 (plus the First Minister and Counsel General), with power to further increase the limit to 18 or 19.
>>>Require candidates to, and Members of, the Senedd to be resident in Wales (by disqualifying candidates and Members who are not registered to vote in a Senedd constituency).
>>>Provide a mechanism for the Seventh Senedd’s consideration of job-sharing of offices relating to the Senedd (by requiring the Llywydd in the Seventh Senedd to propose the establishment of a Senedd committee to review specified matters).
>>>Change the Senedd’s electoral system so that all Members are elected via closed list proportional representation, with votes translated into seats via the D’Hondt formula.
>>>Repurpose and rename the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales; provide the renamed Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru (DBCC) with the functions needed to establish new Senedd constituencies and undertake ongoing reviews of Senedd constituency boundaries; and provide instructions for the DBCC to follow when undertaking boundary reviews.
>>>Provide for review of the operation and effect of the new legislative provisions following the 2026 election (by requiring the Llywydd after the election to propose the establishment of a Senedd committee to review specified matters).
<<<<
Further detail about the Bill can be found in its accompanying Explanatory Memorandum.
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill, as amended at Stage 2 (PDF, 308KB)
Explanatory Memorandum (revised after Stage 2) (PDF, 3.0MB)
Further information and analysis is also available in Senedd Research publications, including a summary of the Bill and a summary of changes made to the Bill at Stage 2.
Committee reports
Stage 1 reports on the Bill were published by the Reform Bill
Committee, the Finance Committee
and the Legislation,
Justice and Constitution Committee on 19 January 2024. The Reform Bill
Committee also published a
summary of its recommendations.
Responses to Committee reports are published in the relevant sections below.
Current Stage
BillStagePost4
The Bill is currently at Post Stage 4. An explanation of the various stages of Senedd Bills is available in the Guide to the Stages of Public Bills and Acts.
Record of passage in the Welsh Parliament
The following table sets out the dates for each stage of the Bill’s passage through the Senedd.
¬¬¬Post-Stage 4(current)
zzz
¬¬¬Stage 4
Stage 4 proceedings took place on Wednesday 8 May 2024.
Presiding Officer’s statement in accordance with Section 111A(3) of the Government of Wales Act 2006
zzz
¬¬¬Stage 3, Plenary consideration of amendments (7 March 2024-30 April 2024)
Following the completion of Stage 2 proceedings, Stage 3 commenced on 7 March 2024.
Stage 3 consideration and disposal of amendments took place in Plenary on 30 April 2024.
The Senedd agreed on 16
April 2024, under Standing Order 26.36, that the order of consideration for
Stage 3 proceedings would be:
Sections 1–12, Schedule 1, sections 13-17, Schedule 2, section 18, Schedule 3,
sections 19-26 and the long title.
Notice of Amendments: 19 April 2024
Welsh
Government: Purpose and effect table – 19 April 2024
Notice of Amendments: 22 April 2024
Notice of Amendments: 23 April 2024 (v3)
Marshalled List of Amendments: 30 April 2024 (v2)
Grouping of Amendments: 30 April 2024
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections Bill, as amended at Stage 3 (Amendments to the Bill since the previous version are indicated by sidelining in the right margin.)
Printing changes to the Bill as amended at Stage 3
zzz
¬¬¬Stage 2, Committee consideration of amendments (31 January 2024-6 March 2024)
Stage 2 consideration took place in Committee on 5 and 6 March 2024.
The Committee of the Whole Senedd agreed on 20 February 2024, under Standing Order 26.21, that the order of consideration for Stage 2 proceedings would be:
Sections 1 to 17, Schedule 1, section 18, Schedule 2, sections 19 to 25, and the long title.
On 31 January 2024, in accordance with Standing Order 26.17(iii), the Senedd agreed that Stage 2 proceedings of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill would be considered by a Committee of the Whole Senedd.
Notice of Amendments: 1 February 2024 (v2)
Notice of Amendments: 7 February 2024 (v2)
Notice of Amendments: 8 February 2024
Notice of Amendments: 12 February 2024 (v3)
Notice of Amendments: 15 February 2024
Notice of Amendments: 16 February 2024
Notice of Amendments: 19 February 2024
Notice of Amendments: 20 February 2024
Notice of Amendments: 22 February 2024
Notice of Amendments: 23 February 2024
Welsh Government: Purpose and effect table –
23 February 2024
Notice of Amendments: 26 February 2024
Notice of Amendments: 27 February 2024
The Committee met on 5 March 2024 and considered and disposed of amendments to Sections1 – 17. Those sections have been deemed agreed.
Marshalled List of Amendments – 5 March 2024 (v2)
Grouping of Amendments – 5 March 2024 (v2)
Stage 2 consideration continued in Committee on 6 March 2024. During the meeting, Sections 18 to 25, Schedules 1 to 2 and the long title were deemed to be agreed.
Marshalled List of Amendments – 6 March 2024
Grouping of Amendments – 6 March 2024
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill as amended at Stage 2 (Amendments to the Bill since the previous version are indicated by sidelining in the right margin.)
Printing changes to the Bill as amended at Stage 2
Explanatory Memorandum, revised after Stage 2
zzz
¬¬¬Financial Resolution (30 January 2024)
In accordance with Standing Order 26.68 the Presiding Officer indicated that a financial resolution was required for this Bill. Further information about financial resolutions is available in section 3 of the Guide to the scrutiny stages for Public Bills.
A Financial Resolution in relation to the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill was agreed in Plenary on 30 January 2024.
zzz
¬¬¬Stage 1, Committee consideration of the general principles (18 September 2023-30 January 2024)
A debate took place in Plenary on 30 January 2024. The motion to agree the general principles of the Bill was agreed.
The Reform Bill Committee agreed its approach to Stage 1 consideration on 20 September 2023.
The Committee’s consultation on the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill closed on 3 November 2023.
As part of its work, the Committee discussed the Bill with members of the Welsh Youth Parliament. It also published information about the Bill and an online form to enable Welsh Youth Parliament members and other children or young people to share their views. The deadline for responses was Friday 10 November.
Committee dates
The Reform Bill Committee considered the Bill on the following dates:
|
Date and Agenda |
Purpose of meeting |
Transcript |
Senedd.TV |
|
Consideration of approach to Stage 1 scrutiny (Private) |
(private) |
(private) |
|
|
Evidence session with the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution |
|||
|
Evidence sessions |
|||
|
Evidence sessions |
|||
|
Evidence sessions |
|||
|
Evidence sessions |
|||
|
Evidence sessions |
|||
|
Evidence session with the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution |
|||
|
Consideration of draft report |
(private) |
(private) |
The Reform Bill Committee laid its report on 19 January 2024. A summary of the recommendations is also available in pdf and as a web version.
Responses to the report
Response from the Standards of Conduct Committee - Stage 1 Report – 22 January 2024
Response from the Business Committee – Stage 1 Report – 25 January 2024
Response from the Senedd Commission - Stage 1 Report - 26 January 2024
Response from the Independent Remuneration Board of the Senedd - Stage 1 Report - 26 January 2024
Response from the Senedd Commission - Stage 1 Report – 4 March 2024
Response from the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution - Stage 1 Report – 5 March 2024
Correspondence
Correspondence with the
Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Letter
to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution - Stage 1 Report – 19
January 2024
Correspondence regarding
the anticipated gender quotas Bill
Correspondence with the Petitions Committee
Letter from the Petitions Committee regarding Senedd reform petitions - 3 October 2023
Correspondence with the former Chair of the Special
Purpose Committee on Senedd Reform
Response from the former Chair of the Special Purpose Committee on Senedd Reform - 2 November 2023
Correspondence with the former Chair of the Committee on Senedd Electoral Reform
Correspondence with the Independent Remuneration Board of
the Senedd
Letter
to the Independent Remuneration Board of the Senedd - Stage 1 Report – 19
January 2024
Correspondence with the Local Government and Housing
Committee
Correspondence with the First Minister and the Leader of
Plaid Cymru
Correspondence with the Standards Commissioner
Correspondence with the Standards of Conduct Committee
Letter
to the Standards of Conduct Committee - Stage 1 Report – 19 January 2024
Correspondence with the Senedd Commission
Response from the Llywydd regarding the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill - 1 December 2023
Letter
to the Llywydd - Stage 1 Report – 19 January 2024
Additional information
The Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee considered the Bill on the following dates:
|
Date and Agenda |
Purpose of meeting |
Transcript |
Senedd.TV |
|
Evidence session with the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution |
The Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee laid its report on 19 January 2024. The Welsh Government responded to the report on 26 January 2024.
(Recommendation 8 of the Committee’s report is reproduced incorrectly in the English language text of the Counsel General’s response letter. The correct wording of recommendation 8 is available from the Committee’s report.)
The Finance Committee considered the Bill on the following dates:
|
Date and Agenda |
Purpose of meeting |
Transcript |
Senedd.TV |
|
Evidence session with the Senedd Commission |
|||
|
Evidence session with the Remuneration Board |
|||
|
Evidence session with the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution |
The Finance Committee laid its report on 19 January 2024. The Committee received a response from the Welsh Government on 26 January 2024.
The Finance Committee wrote to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution on 8 February 2024 to clarify matters relating to costs to the Senedd Commission. The Committee received a response from the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution on 21 February 2024.
The Committee received a response from the Senedd Commission on 20 March 2024.
Correspondence
zzz
¬¬¬Bill introduced (18 September 2023)
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill, as introduced (PDF, 231KB)
Explanatory Memorandum (PDF, 1.9MB)
Statement of Policy Intent (PDF, 307KB)
Presiding
Officer’s Statement: 18 September 2023 (PDF, 146KB)
Written
Statement by the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution – 18 September 2023
Business Committee’s Report on the timetable for consideration of the Bill, 18 September 2023 (PDF, 38KB)
Business Committee’s Report on the revised timetable for consideration of the Bill, 11 January 2024 (PDF, 24.3KB)
Statement by the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution – 19 September 2023
Bilingual Glossary (PDF, 118KB)
zzz
Contact information
Clerk: Helen Finlayson
Phone:0300 200 6565
Postal address:
Welsh Parliament
Cardiff Bay
Cardiff CF99 1SN
e-mail: SeneddReform@senedd.wales
Reason considered: Senedd Business;
Type: For information
First published: 18/09/2023
Documents
- Statement of Policy Intent
PDF 307 KB - Bilingual Glossary PDF 118 KB
- Letter from the Chair of Remuneration Board of the Senedd to the Chair of Finance Committee -23 October 2023 PDF 79 KB
- Welsh Youth Parliament Focus Group PDF 99 KB
- Response from the First Minister regarding the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill - 29 November 2023 PDF 156 KB
- Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Stage 1 Report - Summary of Reccomendations PDF 152 KB
- Letter to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution - Stage 1 Report – 19 January 2024 PDF 71 KB
- Letter to the Llywydd - Stage 1 Report – 19 January 2024 PDF 83 KB
- Letter to the Independent Remuneration Board of the Senedd - Stage 1 Report – 19 January 2024 PDF 73 KB
- Letter to the Standards of Conduct Committee - Stage 1 Report – 19 January 2024 PDF 73 KB
- Response from the Standards of Conduct Committee - Stage 1 Report – 22 January 2024 PDF 68 KB
- Response from the Business Committee – Stage 1 Report – 25 January 2024 PDF 103 KB
- Response from the Senedd Commission - Stage 1 Report - 26 January 2024 PDF 290 KB
- Response from the Independent Remuneration Board of the Senedd - Stage 1 Report - 26 January 2024 PDF 103 KB
- Response from the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution - Stage 1 Report - 26 January 2024 PDF 350 KB
- Response from the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution - Stage 1 Report - 6 February 2024 PDF 215 KB
- Response from the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution - Stage 1 Report - 5 March 2024 PDF 174 KB
- Response from the Senedd Commission - Finance Committee Report - 20 March 2024 PDF 234 KB
- Response from the Senedd Commission - Stage 1 Report - 4 March 2024 PDF 377 KB
- Welsh Government response to LJC Committee - 26 January 2024 PDF 268 KB
- Notice of Amendments: 1 February 2024 (v2) PDF 122 KB
- Notice of Amendments: 7 February 2024 (v2) PDF 81 KB
- Notice of Amendments: 8 February 2024 PDF 93 KB
- Notice of Amendments: 12 February 2024 (v3) PDF 91 KB
- Notice of Amendments: 15 February 2024 PDF 113 KB
- Notice of Amendments: 16 February 2024 PDF 99 KB
- Notice of Amendments: 19 February 2024 PDF 118 KB
- Notice of Amendments: 20 February 2024 PDF 117 KB
- Notice of Amendments: 22 February 2024 PDF 100 KB
- Notice of Amendments: 23 February 2024 PDF 336 KB
- Notice of Amendments: 26 February 2024 PDF 82 KB
- Notice of Amendments: 27 February 2024 PDF 295 KB
- Marshalled List of Amendments – 5 March 2024 (v2) PDF 692 KB
- Rhestr o Welliannau wedi’u Didoli – 6 Mawrth 2024 PDF 384 KB
- Grouping of Amendments – 5 March 2024 (v2) PDF 112 KB
- Grwpio Gwelliannau – 6 Mawrth 2024 PDF 97 KB
- Welsh Government: Purpose and effect table PDF 622 KB
- Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill as amended at Stage 2 - checked PDF 308 KB
- WG response finance PDF 292 KB
- Printing changes to the Bill as amended at Stage 2 PDF 177 KB
- Hide the documents
- Letter to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution from the Finance Committee Chair - 8 February 2024 PDF 187 KB
- Response from the Counsel General and Minister for the Consitituion to the Fiannce Committee -21 February 2024 PDF 156 KB
- Notice of Amendments: 19 April 2024 PDF 115 KB
- Notice of Amendments: 22 April 2024 PDF 125 KB
- Welsh Government: Purpose and effect table - Stage 3 PDF 333 KB
- Notice of Amendments: 23 April 2024 (V3) PDF 302 KB
- Marshalled List of Amendments: 30 April 2024 (V2) PDF 374 KB
- Grouping of Amendments - 30 April 2024 PDF 96 KB
- Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill as amended at Stage 3 PDF 301 KB
- Printing changes to the Bill as amended at Stage 3 PDF 137 KB
Consultations