, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Regenerating Town Centres: Evidence session
Mr Fitzgerald, when you were previously responding, you referred to the early days of the pandemic in 2020. I was chairing, as I do now, for example, the cross-party group on disability and I was approached by a myriad of different groups representing a range…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Regenerating Town Centres: Evidence session
Thank you. For the record, and to help our understanding, you referred to a variety of groups and a variety of representation, but, without naming every one of them, can you just briefly summarise the key groups you're referring to?
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Regenerating Town Centres: Evidence session
Thanks.
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Regenerating Town Centres: Evidence session
Okay, thank you. What do you believe have been the action group's achievements and what else needs to happen?
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Regenerating Town Centres: Evidence session
Thank you. Any further comments? No. That applies to the sub-groups also, does it?
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Regenerating Town Centres: Evidence session
Thank you very much, all three of you. As you will expect, we have a number of questions for you this morning. I'd be grateful if both Members and witnesses could be as succinct as possible to enable us to get through these within the time available. I will…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Regenerating Town Centres: Evidence session
Bore da. Croeso. Welcome back to today's meeting of the Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee. Our second evidence session this morning is on our regenerating town centres inquiry. We have three witnesses with us. Thank you for being here. For…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session
Don't worry. That's life. Okay. Well, we'll now take a short break to prepare for our second evidence session before restarting. I'd be grateful if we could perhaps reconvene at 10:50.
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session
Okay, thank you. Well, the clock has well and truly overtaken us, so can I conclude by thanking both our witnesses today? A copy of the transcript of today's meeting will be published in draft form and shared with you for you to check for accuracy before…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session
Any brief response to that from either of the witnesses? I would comment. For example, I live near Wrexham—and you mentioned Wrexham—and there is increasing diversity in that city; a number of communities that are very active locally and have a recognised…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session
Thank you. Nothing to add, Doyin? No. That's great.
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session
Okay. Thank you very much indeed. Well, time has virtually caught up with us. I will slip in a very short question to conclude: how important do you feel it is for the Welsh Government to increase the diversity of public appointments based on geographic…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session
No.
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session
Thank you very much indeed. In that case, could I please invite Rhianon Passmore to pick up the questions?
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session
And Dr Atewologun, what would an effective mentoring programme look like for you?
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session
Thank you. Well, further, what in your view, would an effective monitoring programme for public appointees look like? And, given the comments I think you've just made, Chantal Patel, why do you think that a mentor from an ethnic minority background is less…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session
Thank you. Chantal Patel, do you have anything to add?
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session
That's fine. We'll see you later. In that case, we'll move on to discuss mentoring programmes, which are often cited as a way to develop potential candidates from under-represented groups to become so-called 'board ready.' To what extent are you aware of any…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session
Okay, thank you. I'm going to come in on the next question. Unless, Mabon—I understand you have to leave us briefly shortly—unless you'd like to raise the next question.
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session
Thank you. Natasha Asghar, I believe you have some questions.
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session
Thank you. Can I bring in, please, Mabon ap Gwynfor to take up the questions?
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session
Okay, thank you. Rhianon Passmore.
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session
Thank you, and before I bring in another questioner, did you have any contact with the Welsh Government's public bodies unit at any stage during your application or appointments process? And if you did, how would you rate the service and effectiveness it…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session
Are there any other specific barriers you've faced in acquiring greater knowledge? And more generally, what could help improve knowledge of public appointment opportunities?
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Public Appointments: Evidence session
Thank you. What, if any, particular sources of information or organisations helped you better understand the application process and the role you were applying for?
