, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Building Safety in Wales
—surpluses should only ever be used in building control.
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Building Safety in Wales
So, just finally, so maybe a proposal that an earmarked reserve is used universally would be a very quick and easy way, potentially, of ensuring compliance with the purpose of the regulations, that—
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Building Safety in Wales
Yes. I think the issue—. As I understand it, the regulations say that they can only be used for building control activities, and there is a suggestion that one way of ensuring that is to have an earmarked reserve that allows greater transparency. So, they can…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Building Safety in Wales
The auditor general's report says that: 'The principles of the 2010 Regulations require that building control income, including surpluses, is to be used to provide building control activities.' So, that seems to be a slightly narrower interpretation.
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Building Safety in Wales
Okay, maybe we can—
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Building Safety in Wales
Sorry, that's your interpretation of the regulations, or is that a means of ensuring the regulations' stipulation that surpluses shouldn't be used for general purposes?
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Building Safety in Wales
Yes, Peter, maybe.
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Building Safety in Wales
I just want to follow up on that: what are the possible outcomes, or what are the possible risks, for local authorities that break the law at present? That is, what incentives do they have to change the way in which they operate? And who would be able to…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Building Safety in Wales
Thank you, Chair. I’m going to turn now to some questions on financial management. Audit Wales in its report does say that, in their view, it appears that some councils are not operating in accordance with the law as far as the way they set fees, and possibly…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Papers to note
Yes, I have a comment, Chair. I feel that the response is inadequate. If you look at recommendation 6, for example, which relates to the app and asks about the use or the take-up of the app, the response just refers us to other papers. So, you have to go…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Climate Change
The Measure does impose a duty on local authorities to make an assessment of the transport needs of learners, and the Government considers safety as part of those needs, and the guidance does suggest risk assessments of the walking routes where that's…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Climate Change
3. Will the Minister provide an update on the latest review of the Learner Travel (Wales) Measure? OQ60526
, Plenary
Debate on a Statement: The Draft Budget 2024-25
We're living through a time of hyperausterity, the likes of which none of us have seen ever before in our lifetimes, and every drop of red ink that we see on the pages of this draft budget comes at a deep human cost. Real-terms spending, public spending in…
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
Devolved Governments are at the forefront of efforts to combat the threat of disinformation to our democracy. The province of South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory have banned disinformation in political advertising. The states of Michigan and…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session with the Welsh Government
Okay. Thank you.
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session with the Welsh Government
Could I ask you, finally—? There are a number of high-profile examples that have occurred over the last five or six years of board members—and sometimes, entire boards—having to leave because of circumstances or pressure being put on them: Sport Wales, Betsi…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session with the Welsh Government
But, once again, in terms of your specific focus on inclusion and diversity, wouldn't at least the opportunity to speak to people from under-represented groups be useful in terms of learning lessons about their experience on those boards?
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session with the Welsh Government
On the other side of the coin, have you also put in place a system of exit interviews for people who leave boards?
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session with the Welsh Government
Why did you not take that plan forward, which was in the action plan?
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session with the Welsh Government
But, do you not have a role in terms of supporting new board members from under-represented groups? For example, there is a reference made to the idea of a buddying system in the year 1 action plan. So, have you piloted that, and what were the results?
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session with the Welsh Government
Okay, so all new board members have that offer. What is the role of the public bodies unit in providing ongoing support to people who are board members?
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session with the Welsh Government
Could you tell us what kind of induction and training sessions are provided to new board members?
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session with the Welsh Government
Ocê. Diolch, Cadeirydd.
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session with the Welsh Government
And if I can turn to feedback, this has been emphasised by a number of people who've given evidence to us. Is there a consistent policy across public bodies in terms of providing meaningful feedback to people who apply for jobs, and, if not, is that…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session with the Welsh Government
Yes, but do you perhaps see part of your role as being to provide options in terms of best practice and encouraging public bodies to consider different ways of recruiting and of assessing in the recruitment process? As you say, from your experience in the…
