Agenda and minutes
Venue: Conference Room 4B - Tŷ Hywel
Contact: Sulafa Thomas, x6227
No. | Item |
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Introduction |
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Introduction and apologies Minutes: No apologies had been received. |
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Declarations of interest Minutes: There were no declarations of interest. David Rowlands made Commissioners aware of his membership of the Committee on Electoral Reform. |
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Minutes of the previous meeting Minutes: The minutes of the meeting on 4 November were agreed. |
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Communication and Engagement Strategy Minutes: Commissioners considered a strategy
proposal to improve how the Assembly communicates and engages with the people of
Wales, bringing a much greater focus on social media as a means of speaking
with and involving the public in our work. They
considered the four drivers identified in the proposals: a. To place the Citizen at the core of
everything the Assembly does. b. To place digital communications at
the centre of the Assembly’s operations as a means of facilitating and
democratising the engagement process. c. To make communications streamlined
and consistent - simple, engaging brand messages targeted at specific
demographic groups. d. To make changes to the structure of the
Communications and Engagement Directorate to support a ‘Digital First’
operation and culture; and to continuously improve upon digital competency,
skill sets and delivery mechanisms. Commissioners
flagged some elements that they sought assurances about, such as digital
exclusion, a social media strategy and the significance of editing in the
success of a new approach. They supported the strategy to place a greater
emphasis on social media to communicate and engage with citizens; and confirmed
that the strategy reflects their engagement priorities. They also agreed to review the initial effectiveness of this change in strategic direction before the end of this Assembly. |
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Committee on Assembly Electoral Reform request Minutes: Commissioners
considered a request from the Committee on Assembly Electoral Reform to access
funding from the Assembly Commission budget in order to commission public engagement
activity to inform its work on the size and capacity of the Assembly and how
Members are elected. Commissioners considered the balance of the proposals, one indicating a preference amongst a group of Members that consideration of the matters around electoral reform should be undertaken in the next Assembly. In conclusion, the Commission agreed the Committee’s preferred option. |
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Assembly Reform - Name Change matters Minutes: Commissioners
were updated on the progress to date of work to take forward the name change. They
considered a series of decisions necessary to implement the name change
effectively by 6 May 2020, when the provisions come into force. Commissioners
agreed proposals, by majority in some cases, in relation to: ·
Indicative
branding for use on logo and signage etc; ·
Written
naming convention, the revised purpose statements, First/second mention within text; ·
Assembly
terms - historical and future references; ·
Website,
e-mail addresses and social media; ·
Postcode
and address; ·
Updating
the Official Languages Scheme; ·
Marking
the formal change from Assembly to Senedd; ·
A
new Commission seal. |
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Brexit update Oral item Minutes: Commissioners noted that preparations for leaving the EU on 31st January and the ensuing implementation period (until 31 December 2020) are ongoing, in relation to both Assembly business and the corporate services (including service and supply contracts). |
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Supplementary budget Minutes: Commissioners
considered proposals for a supplementary budget, in the region of £0.35
million, to be included in the Welsh Government’s budget motion. The primary
drivers for the supplementary budget were: • Underspend on the Remuneration Board’s
Determination (reduce the allocation to meet the Determination costs by £0.500
million); and • The mid-year IAS19 pension finance
cost calculation (increase the Pension finance Cost Budget by £0.150 million). Commissioners noted and approved the Explanatory Memorandum which will decrease the 2019-20 Budget by £0.35 million; and a letter to the Chair of the Finance Committee. |
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Finance Committee proposals to amend the Public Audit (Wales) Act 2013 Minutes: Commissioners
noted a letter from the Finance Committee about the Committee’s consultation on
a draft Public Audit (Amendment) (Wales) Bill. The Commission had previously submitted views to the Committee. Commissioners agreed a response to the Committee, subject to minor amendments, drawing the Committee’s attention to the provisions within PAWA 2013 regarding the payment of expenses to the Chair of the Wales Audit Office and the Auditor General Wales. |
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PAC report on the 2018-19 ARA - Commission response Minutes: Commissioners
were updated on the Public Accounts Committee’s routine Scrutiny of Accounts
2018-19. The report had contained six recommendations. Commissioners agreed their response to the Public Accounts Committee report. |
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Papers to note: |
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Assembly Reform - Votes @16 education and awareness raising update Minutes: Commissioners were updated about plans for the creation of education and awareness-raising resources for use by educators, youth workers, and others who work with younger people. They checked that the resources developed will be suitable for the new curriculum, and noted the update, which followed the Commission’s agreement of a general approach and key audiences in November. |
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Letter from Remuneration Board Minutes: Commissioners noted a letter from the Remuneration Board updating them following the Board’s November meeting. The letter requested further information and attendance of officials at a future Board meeting; this related to office costs provided by the Assembly Commission, and Employment Liability Practices Insurance. |
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Pension Board change to investment strategy Minutes: Commissioners noted information from the Pension Board about a change to the investment strategy of the Assembly Members’ Pension Scheme, reducing the Scheme’s investments in the oil and gas sector. |
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ACARAC Minutes Minutes: The routine update, provided following the ACARAC meeting of 21 October. |
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Executive Board update (RAD decisions) Minutes: The routine update was noted. |
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Any other business Minutes: ·
Taking Assembly
business to a location outside Cardiff In discussions with groups and party leaders,
feedback had, generally, been supportive of a compressed week of Assembly
business, to be undertaken in NE Wales. The Commission agreed, by majority, that work to
deliver the initiative should now go ahead, and to an indicative budget of up to £250k. ·
Letter from 3 Members Commissioners agreed to maintain the memorials policy in its current
form. ·
Events on the estate Commissioners discussed issues around events encompassing political
debate, and the boundaries as to what is appropriate use of the estate, and
requested a paper for a future meeting. In the period
since the previous meeting Commissioners had agreed to a request from the BBC
to host an election debate on the estate. There had also been a briefing
meeting with the Commissioners and the Llywydd on 11 November with regard to
arrangements for a temporary Standards Commissioner. |