, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Motion under Standing Order 17.42 to resolve to exclude the public for the remainder of the meeting
Members, I propose that, in accordance with Standing Order 17.42(ix), the committee resolves to meet in private for the remainder of today’s meeting. Are Members content? I see that Members are content, so I’d be grateful if we could go into private session.
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session with the Welsh Government
Okay, thank you. In which case—. Yes, witnesses, you’re free to go if you wish.
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session with the Welsh Government
Oh, I’m sorry. Before I do that, then, Rhianon Passmore.
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session with the Welsh Government
Members, I propose that, in accordance with Standing Order—
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session with the Welsh Government
Thank you. You’ll probably be pleased to hear that brings our questions to a conclusion. We’re only two minutes over. We’ve actually got through them all, which is not something we always manage to achieve. So, thanks to you both. A transcript of today’s…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session with the Welsh Government
And do you believe that might add value?
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session with the Welsh Government
And finally, to what extent, if at all, could a new information sharing protocol on pre-appointment hearings between the Senedd and the Welsh Government be beneficial?
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session with the Welsh Government
We’ve reached the witching hour. I’ve got a couple of very short questions to finish with, and then we can release you. What are your views on the purpose and role of pre-appointment hearings undertaken by the Senedd, and what is the public bodies unit’s role…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session with the Welsh Government
As I recall, when we met the commissioner in Scotland, his view and that of his team was that that earlier role of oversight in the process actually addressed some of the points that Members have been raising with you today, not as a criticism, in his role…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session with the Welsh Government
Do you have any—?
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session with the Welsh Government
Developing that from the meeting we had with the commissioner in Scotland, he told us that his roles and powers provided more oversight earlier on in the appointments process, whereas the commissioner for England and Wales only has powers to review the…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session with the Welsh Government
Okay. We recently met with the Ethical Standards Commissioner for Scotland, who also serves as their public appointments commissioner for Scotland. How, if at all, do you compare the oversight provided by the commissioner for England and Wales to the…
, 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
Do you know, you might not, but would the reserved powers model we currently have permit a Welsh Government to make such a decision, to introduce a commissioner for Wales, or not?
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session with the Welsh Government
So, in terms of your role, this isn't an issue that's crossed your radar.
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session with the Welsh Government
What, if any, consideration has been given to the appointment of a commissioner for public appointments for Wales?
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session with the Welsh Government
Okay. Moving on to a different theme, how does the relationship between the Welsh Government and the Commissioner for Public Appointments operate in practice?
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session with the Welsh Government
Thank you very much indeed. Just going back on that, as you indicate, it's the role of individual bodies to provide ongoing support to public appointees. What, if any, ongoing support do you provide to those individual bodies to enable them to do that?
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session with the Welsh Government
Thank you. Adam Price.
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session with the Welsh Government
Okay. Natasha Asghar.
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session with the Welsh Government
Can I just come in with a supplementary on the questions Adam Price asked about reasonable adjustments in recruitment processes, and so on? I think Mr Moss made reference to looking at the social model of disability, which states that people are not disabled…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session with the Welsh Government
Thank you. Can I bring in Adam Price, please?
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session with the Welsh Government
Mike, did that answer your questions? Okay. Thank you very much. Can I bring in Natasha Asghar?
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session with the Welsh Government
Okay, thank you very much indeed. Mike Hedges, could you come back in again, please?
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session with the Welsh Government
Thank you. Rhianon Passmore.
