Wales 1998 Government of Wales Act 19998 1999 First Assembly - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

1997 – Referendum on establishment of the National Assembly for Wales 1998 – Government of Wales Act 19998 1999 – First Assembly elections 2006 – Government of Wales Act 2006 2007 – Third Assembly Elections 2011 – Referendum on law making powers 2011 – Fourth Assembly Elections

Presiding Officer and Deputy Presiding Officer

Rosemary Butler AM

Agriculture, fisheries, forestry and rural development Housing Ancient monuments and historic buildings Local government Culture National Assembly for Wales Economic development Public administration Education and training Social welfare Environment Sport and recreation Fire and rescue services and promotion of fire safety Tourism Food Town and country planning Health and health services Water and flood defence Highways and transport Welsh language

Powers and Responsibilities

Role of an Assembly Member

Elections Every 4 years (5 this term) 60 Assembly Members 40 constituency 20 regional Next election May 2016

Role of an Assembly Member Election

At an Assembly election, people have two votes as the Assembly uses an “additional members system”

• 40 Members elected first past the post – most votes wins
• 20 Members elected through the d’Hont method of Proportional

Representation http://www.assemblywales.org/abthome/role-of-assembly-how-it- works/abt-assembly-elections-2/abt-nafw-how-assembly-elected.htm

Role of an Assembly Member Constituency Member for Cardiff Central

Jenny Rathbone AM

Role of an Assembly Member Regional Members for South Wales Central

Eluned Parrott AM Andrew RT Davies AM David Melding AM Leanne Wood AM

Results / Canlyniadau Constituency Regional Total

Welsh Labour

28 2 30

Welsh Conservatives

6 8 14

Plaid Cymru

5 6 11

Welsh Liberal Democrats

1 4 5

Role of an Assembly Member

Role of an Assembly Member

In their local constituencies/regions

• Hold surgeries
• Give the people of Wales a chance to raise issues
• Work directly on behalf of their constituents
• Meet with individuals, groups and organisations

At the Senedd

• Sit on Committees
• Debate in plenary
• Propose legislation
• Vote

NAfW vs Welsh Government

Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Committees

• Children and Young People Committee
• Committee for the Scrutiny of the First Minister
• Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee
• Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee
• Enterprise and Business Committee
• Environment and Sustainability Committee
• Finance Committee
• Health and Social Care Committee
• Petitions Committee
• Public Accounts Committee
• Standards of Conduct Committee

http://www.senedd.assemblywales.org/mgIssueHistoryHome.aspx ?IId=1534

Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Committees

Committee meetings are attended by a cross party group of Assembly

• Members. They usually take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and

Thursdays and the scrutinise:

• Legislation proposals (Bills)
• Welsh Government policy

The Research Service provide briefings for Committee Members with suggestions for upcoming inquiries based on discussions with their network of contacts Traditional consultation approaches include a written call for evidence and evidence sessions at the Senedd

Legislating for Wales Legislative process

What is a Bill? A Bill is a draft law, which if passed by the Assembly, becomes and Act

• f the Assembly, which is a law enforced in all areas of Wales where it is

applicable. Introducing a Bill

• Must be formally introduced to the Assembly (“laid” to Assembly
• fficials)
• Mostly introduced by Welsh Government Ministers (Government Bills)
• Assembly Committee’s, individual Assembly Members and the

Assembly Commission can also introduce Bills

Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Committees

Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Committees

In addition to this the Communications team at the Assembly conduct consultation activity on behalf of Committees, such as:

• Focus groups
• Video Interviews
• Speed networking events
• Conferences
• Questionnaires

Legislating for Wales Legislative process

Scrutinising Bills There are 4 stages to scrutinising Bills;

• Stage 1 considers the general principles of the Bill, if agreed…
• Stages 2 and 3 will consider in greater detail and also consider

amendments proposed by Assembly Members

• Stage 4 is where the final text of the Bill is voted on in the Chamber

Legislating for Wales Ballots for Bills

These ballots give backbench AMs the chance to propose legislation

• Ministers and AMs who have previously won a ballot may not apply
• Each Member can submit individual legislative proposals, they can

also propose the same one as other AMs

• A draft Bill is selected at random
• 4 stages of consideration
• http://www.assemblywales.org/bus-home/bus-

legislation/bill_ballots.htm

Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Committees

Petitions - Three Easy Steps 1. Submit your proposal

• 2. Collect signatures – minimum of 10
• 3. Present your petition

www.assemblywales.org/e-petitions

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