11 March 2024 , Equality and Social Justice Committee
Governance of Fire and Rescue Services: panel 5
So, in the work that you and your organisation have done, are you therefore surprised at the serious issues that have emerged from the cultural review of the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, which has caused the Deputy Minister to suspend the governance…
11 March 2024 , Equality and Social Justice Committee
Governance of Fire and Rescue Services: panel 5
I therefore would very much like to welcome Adrian Crompton, the Auditor General for Wales, who is accompanied by Gary Emery, the audit director, and Martin Peters, the head of law and ethics. Welcome to all of you and thank you very much for coming in to…
11 March 2024 , Equality and Social Justice Committee
Introductions, apologies, substitutions and declarations of interest
Good afternoon and welcome to the Equality and Social Justice Committee, where we are continuing our inquiry into the governance of the fire and rescue services. I've had no apologies for today's meeting; all Members are present. Are there any declarations of…
6 March 2024 , Committee of the Whole Senedd
Group 16: Referendum on the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Act 2024 (Amendments 36, 37)
In the 2016 referendum on the European Union, we were promised £536 million for the NHS every week, and that was part of the offer that was encouraging people to vote 'yes' for that referendum. So, referendums can be dressed up to be anything you like.
6 March 2024 , Plenary
90-second Statements
Childcare continues to be a constant juggling act and gender-based violence is a public health epidemic. The women's struggle for bread and peace continues.
6 March 2024 , Plenary
90-second Statements
The inspiration for International Women's Day began with 15,000 women marching through New York in 1908, seeking shorter working hours, better pay and the right to vote. This prompted the Socialist Party of America to declare a first National Women's Day. In…
5 March 2024 , Committee of the Whole Senedd
Group 6: Disqualification from being a Member of the Senedd or a candidate: persons convicted of the offence of deception within the previous five years (Amendment 126)
Yes. It's a very interesting discussion. Where would the promise to have an extra £350 million a week for the NHS sit in this discussion?
5 March 2024 , Plenary
Debate: The Final Budget 2024-25
—and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales is welcome, but how well are these organisations working together, when they sound very similar—
5 March 2024 , Plenary
Debate: The Final Budget 2024-25
—to Cadw—
5 March 2024 , Plenary
Debate: The Final Budget 2024-25
—with each other and organisations like the Books Council of Wales? The £1.4 million extra allocated—
5 March 2024 , Plenary
Debate: The Final Budget 2024-25
How good are these collaborative arrangements—
5 March 2024 , Plenary
Debate: The Final Budget 2024-25
But it is being financed by repurposing £2 million of revenue originally allocated to Wales's cultural strategy. Are the governance structures fit for purpose to steer those organisations through the current financial and organisational challenges and are…
5 March 2024 , Plenary
Debate: The Final Budget 2024-25
Our budgetary position remains really challenging for a whole host of reasons, and it doesn't look like changing any time soon. All public bodies are going to have to find new ways of working if we are to heed the words of Sir Paul Williams in 2013, which are…
4 March 2024 , Equality and Social Justice Committee
Motion under Standing Order 17.42(vi) to exclude the public from the remainder of the meeting
I now move, under Standing Order 17.42, to exclude the public from the rest of today's meeting.
4 March 2024 , Equality and Social Justice Committee
Papers to note
We'll now move on to the four papers to note. Are there any Members who wish to raise any issues around them, or are we happy just to note them at this stage? I see no concerns.
4 March 2024 , Equality and Social Justice Committee
Governance of Fire and Rescue Services: panel 3
Thank you very much indeed. If there are no further questions from other Members, I'd like to thank you for your attendance. We'll be sending you a transcript of your contributions, and please make sure that we have captured the information correctly.
4 March 2024 , Equality and Social Justice Committee
Governance of Fire and Rescue Services: panel 3
Thank you for that. Any final remarks from you, Mr Ashby?
4 March 2024 , Equality and Social Justice Committee
Governance of Fire and Rescue Services: panel 3
Mark, yes, go ahead.
4 March 2024 , Equality and Social Justice Committee
Governance of Fire and Rescue Services: panel 3
Okay. So, the Deputy Minister has said the commissioners will remain until the work is finished. How would you define what the finished job looks like?
4 March 2024 , Equality and Social Justice Committee
Governance of Fire and Rescue Services: panel 3
Okay, thank you for that. Is there anything Mr Ashby wanted to say before I just move on to my final question on this?
4 March 2024 , Equality and Social Justice Committee
Governance of Fire and Rescue Services: panel 3
Okay. Hurdles—interesting as well. In 2018, we're told that Unison was in favour of having a much closer relationship with the ambulance service, but the FBU were not happy with it, because the intention was to revisit some of the contractual arrangements of…
4 March 2024 , Equality and Social Justice Committee
Governance of Fire and Rescue Services: panel 3
Okay. In fairness to Mr Wrack, he did say that 20 years ago he resisted it and he now regrets it. So, clearly, we all learn from experience. Mr Hardingham, is there anything you wanted to add on this?
4 March 2024 , Equality and Social Justice Committee
Governance of Fire and Rescue Services: panel 3
Okay. I just want to go back to the things that were said around collaboration with the ambulance service. And it was interesting to hear you say that you'd been favouring this for some time. I want to explore a little bit further why we haven't moved further…
4 March 2024 , Equality and Social Justice Committee
Governance of Fire and Rescue Services: panel 3
Yes, absolutely.
4 March 2024 , Equality and Social Justice Committee
Governance of Fire and Rescue Services: panel 3
Okay, thank you for that clarity. So—
