SCECLB18- P Llandough Community Council

Senedd Cymru | Welsh Parliament

Y Pwyllgor Biliau Diwygio | Reform Bill Committee

Bil Senedd Cymru (Rhestrau Ymgeiswyr Etholiadol)| Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill

Ymateb gan Council Cyngor Cymuned Llandochau | Evidence from Llandough Community Council

What are your views on the general principles of the Bill and the need for legislation to deliver the Welsh Government’s stated policy objective (to make the Senedd a more effective legislature by ensuring it is broadly representative of the gender make-up of the population)?

The Community Council fully supports the aim of achieving a more balanced gender make-up in the Senedd. This is unlikely to be achieved without positive action and encouraging political parties to ensure that their nominations for the Senedd elections are representative of the gender make-up of the population is essential.

What are your views on the system of enforcement and potential sanctions for non-compliance proposed in the Bill?

Provided that there is a balance of gender and quality of candidates selected the Community Council would support this approach.

Are there any potential barriers to the implementation of the Bill’s provisions? If so, what are they, and are they adequately taken into account in the Bill and the accompanying Explanatory Memorandum and Regulatory Impact Assessment?

No comment

Are any unintended consequences likely to arise from the Bill?

No comment

What are your views on the Welsh Government’s assessment of the financial and other impacts of the Bill?

No comment

What are your views on the balance between the information contained on the face of the Bill and what is left to subordinate legislation? Are the powers for Welsh Ministers to make subordinate legislation appropriate?

We would agree that the powers for Welsh Ministers to make subordinate legislation is about right. This would avoid the long delays that can occur in relation to pursuing primary legislation.

Do you have any views on matters relating to the legislative competence of the Senedd including compatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights?

No comment

Do you have any views on matters related to the quality of the legislation, or to the constitutional or other implications of the Bill?

No comment

Are there any other issues that you would like to raise about the Bill and the accompanying Explanatory Memorandum or any related matters?

Generally, while there are party political differences, the public see elected representatives as much the same and even struggle to fully understand who is responsible for what. An example may be the 20mph legislation that comes from the Senedd, if implemented by Councils and enforced by the Police. That need not matter to those in favour but, a significant percentage are opposed and are complaining without necessarily targeting that towards the Senedd.

Back to the proposals! Although not directly included in this consultation paper, the overall changes mooted include increasing the number of Senedd members to 96, an additional 36.

Clearly, this increase in members need not mean the same overall increase in operational costs but, estimates suggest an additional £30m per annum.

While that cost can, no doubt, be both disputed and be argued as justified, the Community Council believe the general public will see this as an unacceptable cost at the current time.

Council Tax bills have recently been received and that increase, including increases in Community Council precepts have generated some aired dissent. Although these increases can be explained and defended the additional costs relating to the increase in costs of the Senedd may be more difficult to defend.

Although our initial responses support and agree with the aims and objectives of the proposals, the increased cost is not going to be welcomed by the residents we represent at this moment in time and we consider that the Senedd should be aware of these concerns.

Anything else?

No