CSFM(4)-01-12

Committee for the Scrutiny of the First Minister 11 July

Committee for the Scrutiny of the First Minister –

Note of Private Meeting

In attendance

David Melding (Chair)

Paul Davies

Mark Drakeford

Elin Jones

Eluned Parrott

Frequency and location of meetings

1. It was agreed that the Committee will meet once a term.

2. It was agreed that the Committee would aim to hold one meeting a year in North, Mid or West Wales, ideally in the summer term if that corresponds with the First Minister’s diary commitments. 

General approach and content of meetings

3. It was agreed that at each meeting the Committee should look at one broad topic related to the strategic vision of the Welsh Government as well as a specific subject area that is central to the Welsh Government’s programme.

4. To that end, it was decided that the first two issues that the Committee will scrutinise will be:

· The Legislative Programme: The First Minister’s role in formulating, planning and coordinating the Welsh Government’s legislative programme, progress achieved during the Fourth Assembly given its new legislative powers, relations with the National Assembly for Wales, capacity and expertise within the civil service and civic society for delivering the programme, and flexibility in responding to change.

· Promoting Enterprise: The First Minister’s vision for promoting “enterprise” in the Welsh economy, including how it is mainstreamed and coordinated throughout and across the Welsh Government, with a focus on the development of cross-cutting policy areas such as Enterprise Zones and social enterprises.

5. It was agreed that the Committee would write to Committee Chairs to make them aware of the work it will be undertaking, and to invite possible subject areas for future scrutiny.

Committee Service

July 2012

Annex A

Potential Future Scrutiny Topics

· International relations and promoting Wales abroad, including relations with the UK Government

· Silk Commission – Welsh Government response, next steps, and relationship with UK Government

· Building capacity and development of the civil service in Wales 

· First Minister's Delivery Unit, and its performance, particularly in the area of health

· Major energy facilities and infrastructure, the devolution of energy matters, and investment for Wales

· Welsh Government’s relationship with the third sector and NGOs

· Strategic and corporate planning in the Welsh Government, including links between departmental portfolios

· Regeneration, in both rural and urban areas

· Major public appointments

· Ministerial Code

· Future European funding and relationships with Europe and the UK Government