30 November 2023 , Reform Bill Committee
Introductions, apologies, substitutions, and declarations of interest
Can I welcome Members and the public to today's evidence session of the committee, looking into the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill? We continue our scrutiny of the Bill this morning. Before we go into the business of scrutiny, can I just remind…
29 November 2023 , Plenary
Debate on the Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee Report, 'Wales-Ireland relations: Exploring an old relationship in a new age'
Can I thank the Chair for her opening remarks, and the reminder to us all of our joint cultural and historical links? I welcome the opportunity to speak in this debate, and I do so as the lead member of the Senedd delegation to the British-Irish Parliamentary…
22 November 2023 , Reform Bill Committee
Motion under Standing Order 17.42(ix) to resolve to exclude the public for the remainder of the meeting
We'll move on to item 5, which is a motion under Standing Order 17.42 to exclude the public for the remainder of the meeting. Are Members content to do so? Therefore, we'll now move into private session.
22 November 2023 , Reform Bill Committee
Papers to Note
Well, there are some in there that look at—. One of the maps on pack page 66 does seem to apply to the new boundaries. Okay, so we'll make that point.
22 November 2023 , Reform Bill Committee
Papers to Note
Other than that, are Members content to note—? Sarah.
22 November 2023 , Reform Bill Committee
Papers to Note
You and I know my position on this, but I can let you know, Darren, that I've taken consideration, I've spoken with the team, and I've come to the conclusion that we will seek evidence from the First Minister and from Plaid Cymru in relation to the proposal…
22 November 2023 , Reform Bill Committee
Papers to Note
For colleagues, we'll move on to item 4 on the agenda, which is papers to note, and we have three papers in our packs. The first one is the additional information provided by the Electoral Reform Society Cymru following their session with us two weeks ago…
22 November 2023 , Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales
You'll be aware that you'll receive copies of the transcript. If you identify any factual inaccuracies please can you let the clerking team know, so we can have them corrected on the record. Thank you once again.
22 November 2023 , Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales
Okay. Thank you. Any further questions from colleagues? Jane? In that case, we've come to the end of the session. Can I thank you very much for your time this morning?
22 November 2023 , Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales
And since we're talking about skill sets, I just want to try and find a clarification. You obviously are looking at skills and I'm assuming, therefore, that you give consideration to both Welsh language skills and geographic boundaries, locations, for people…
22 November 2023 , Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales
No, you're still doing local boundary reviews.
22 November 2023 , Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales
Okay. Does any Member have any further—?
22 November 2023 , Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales
Okay. And a final question from me in that case, I think. Yes. I understand the situation here is the cycle of review—is it eight years being proposed? And if we're staying with commissioners being on for two terms, for example, that would fit in nicely with…
22 November 2023 , Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales
I'm going to have to challenge you on that, because you say 'areas'—regions, I would have said, more than areas. Because it wasn't constituency focused, it was definitely regionally focused, because, from my own constituency, we had to go to Swansea, for…
22 November 2023 , Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales
Okay. And on that basis, then, do you think the two to five public hearings that the Bill proposes as a limit of public hearings is enough? Because, clearly, there's a possibility that—. There will be a need for clarification on these points with communities…
22 November 2023 , Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales
So, it's a legal position you're looking at to ensure that challenge is minimised, so that your consideration of the boundaries and the consideration of the changes is reflected in how you actually look, practicality—
22 November 2023 , Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales
So, your focus would be, preferably, if you were looking at changes, to change a community, rather than just simply hit the numbers?
22 November 2023 , Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales
[Inaudible.]—because one of the questions—. We're talking about the requirement to minimise disruption, effectively, or the amount of change, and one of the suggestions you would change is, rather than that being an obligation, it becomes a desirability…
22 November 2023 , Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales
Have they gone to Welsh Government for their consideration?
22 November 2023 , Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales
Can I go back now to this question of assessment, post 2026, of the constituencies? And your suggested amendments in your paper were very much appreciated. The first question is, I suppose, is: have you sent those suggestions to the Welsh Government for their…
22 November 2023 , Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales
And you'll have a wider skill set.
22 November 2023 , Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales
Okay. Darren.
22 November 2023 , Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales
It's not our committee that's looking at it, but the Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Bill, which is also being considered at this point in time, puts in automatic registration. Have you considered how that impacts upon the future calculation, because…
22 November 2023 , Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales
If we go on to the reviews post 2026, because you will be looking at, possibly, the boundaries, and there's going to be a change—well, 'minimise the change', I think I saw in some of your decisions or recommendations for amendments to the Bill. That'll be…
22 November 2023 , Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Evidence session with the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales
Jane.
