Inquiry into COVID-19 and its impact on matters relating to the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee’s remit

Inquiry into COVID-19 and its impact on matters relating to the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee’s remit

Inquiry5

 

The Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee undertook an inquiry into the Covid-19 outbreak in Wales. The consultation has now been closed, due to the dissolution of the Fifth Senedd.

 

The inquiry considered the impact of coronavirus, and the response to it, on the following areas:

 

  • Local government;
  • Housing;
  • Equalities;
  • Tackling poverty;
  • Human rights; and
  • Any other issues within the committee’s portfolio.

 

In October 2020 the Committee agreed to focus particularly on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the voluntary sector. A new consultation letter was issued for this work.

 

Evidence Gathering

 

The Committee held a number of evidence sessions to inform its work, which can be viewed in the table below.

 

Impact of COVID-19 on the voluntary sector

 

Evidence session

Date

Transcript

Video

Ruth Marks, Chief Executive, WCVA

 

Fiona Liddell, Manager, Helpforce Cymru

 

Noreen Blanluet, Lead consultant, Co-production Network for Wales

 

Kate Griffiths, Director for Wales, British Red Cross

 

Jas Bains, Chief Executive, Hafod

 

Carol Mack, Chair, Wales Funders Forum

 

Rebecca Watkins, Foundation Director, Moondance Foundation

 

Richard Williams, Chief Executive, Community Foundation Wales

 

John Rose, Wales Director, National Lottery Community Fund

2 November 2020

Transcript 

Watch on Senedd.tv

Nesta Lloyd-Jones, Assistant Director, NHS Confederation

 

Hayley Thomas, Executive Director of Planning and Performance, Powys Teaching Health Board

 

Councillor Andrew Morgan, Leader, Welsh Local Government Association

 

Daniel Hurford, Head of Policy (Improvement and Governance), Welsh Local Government Association

 

Amanda Carr, Director, Swansea Council for Voluntary Service

 

Bethan Russell Williams, Chief Officer, Mantell Gwynedd

 

Chris Johnes, Chief Executive, Building Communities Trust

 

Patience Bentu, National Community Engagement Lead, Race Council Cymru

 

Rocio Cifuentes, Chief Executive, Ethnic Minorities and Youth Support Team Wales (EYST)

9 November 2020

Transcript

Watch on Senedd.tv

Jane Hutt MS, Deputy Minister and Chief Whip

16 November 2020

Transcript

Watch on Senedd.tv

 

Impact of COVID-19 on matters within the Committee’s portfolio

 

Evidence session

Date

Transcript

Video

Julie James MS, Minister for Housing and Local Government

5 May 2020

Transcript 

Watch on Senedd.tv

Jane Hutt MS, Deputy Minister and Chief Whip

14 May 2020

Transcript

Watch on Senedd.tv

Sara Kirkpatrick, Chief Executive, Welsh Women’s Aid

 

Yasmin Khan, National Adviser for Violence against Women, other forms of Gender-Based Violence, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence

2 June 2020

Transcript

Watch on Senedd.tv

Ruth Coombs, Head of Equality and Human Rights Commission Wales

 

Hannah Wharf, Principle External Affairs, Equality and Human Rights Commission Wales

 

Heléna Herklots, Older People’s Commissioner for Wales

 

Victoria Lloyd, Chief Executive, Age Cymru

 

Patience Bentu, Administration and Policy Support Officer, Race Council Cymru

 

Rocio Cifuentes, Chief Executive, Ethnic Minorities and Youth Support Team (EYST) Wales

16 June 2020

Transcript

Watch on Senedd.tv

Miranda Evans, Policy and Programmes Officer, Disability Wales

 

Megan Thomas, Policy Officer, Disability Wales

 

Zoe Richards, Chief Executive, Learning Disability Wales

 

Ansley Workman, Director, RNIB Cymru

 

Nathan Owen, Policy and Public Affairs Manager, RNIB Cymru

 

Steffan Evans, Policy and Research Officer, The Bevan Foundation

 

Claire Thomas, Policy and Research Officer, The Bevan Foundation

 

Rachel Cable, Head of Oxfam Cymru   

 

Gwennan Hardy, Senior Policy Officer, Citizens Advice Cymru

 

Catherine Fookes, Director, Women’s Equality Network (WEN) Wales  

 

Cerys Furlong, Chief Executive, Chwarae Teg

 

Robert Visintainer, Project Manager, Men’s Sheds Cymru

30 June 2020

Transcript

Watch on Senedd.tv

Rhys Gwilym-Taylor, Senior Policy and Public Affairs Officer, Crisis

 

Jennie Bibbings, Campaigns Manager, Shelter Cymru

 

Katie Dalton, Director, Cymorth Cymru

 

Clarissa Corbisiero, Director of Policy and External Affairs / Deputy Chief Executive, Community Housing Cymru

 

Matt Dicks, Director, CIH Cymru

 

Cllr Andrea Lewis, Housing Spokesperson, Welsh Local Government Association

 

Jim McKirdle, Housing Policy Officer, Welsh Local Government Association

 

Calum Davies, Welsh Policy & Public Affairs Officer, National Residential Landlords Association

14 July 2020

Transcript

Watch on Senedd.tv

Cllr Andrew Morgan, WLGA Leader

 

Cllr Emlyn Dole, WLGA Plaid Cymru Group Leader

 

Cllr Peter Fox, WLGA Conservative Group Leader

 

Cllr Hugh Evans, WLGA Independent Group Leader

 

Chris Llewelyn, Chief Executive, WLGA

16 July 2020

Transcript

Watch on Senedd.tv

 

Report

 

The Committee published its report: Impact of COVID-19 on the voluntary sector (PDF, 1.04MB) 2 February 2021.

 

The Welsh Government responded to the report in March 2021.

 

The Committee published its report: Into sharp relief - inequality and the pandemic (PDF, 478KB)  Monday 10 August 2020.

 

The Welsh Government responded to the report. A debate on the report and government response was held in Plenary on 7 October 2020. 

 

On publication of the report “Into sharp relief – inequality and the pandemic”, John Griffiths MS, Chair of the Committee said:

 

"The impact of COVID-19 has hit Wales hard and disproportionately affected already disadvantaged groups in society. We must learn lessons from what has happened and we must act fast to support those who've been hit hardest.”

 

Business type: Committee Inquiry

Reason considered: Senedd Business;

Status: Complete

First published: 29/04/2020

Documents

Consultations