Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies.

Lesley Griffiths informed the Commission that she is an Ambassador for the Rhodri Morgan Trust.

Commissioners agreed the Minutes of the meeting on 3 December 2025.

Commissioners agreed the Minutes of the meeting on 15 December 2025.

Commissioners agreed the Minutes of the meeting on 18 December 2025.

The Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee published their Report on the Scrutiny of the 2024-25 Accounts on 2 December 2025, making five recommendations to the Commission, and one recommendation in its legacy Report to their successor Committee regarding spend with Welsh suppliers.

The Commission agreed a response to the Committee’s recommendations.

The letter would be provided to PAPAC who will publish as part of their committee meeting papers.

On 15 December 2025, the Independent Remuneration Board published its draft Determination for the Seventh Senedd for the first time as a complete document.

Commissioners considered and agreed a response from the Commission, and noted the response from the Chief Executive and Clerk.

The letter would be provided to IRB who may publish aspects as part of their review.

On 5 November 2018, the Commission gave in principle agreement to the Rhodri Morgan Trust that a statue to the late former First Minister could be erected on the Commission’s estate in Cardiff Bay, subject to appropriate assurances being received. The expectation was that external legal costs, needed to protect the position of the Commission, would be funded by the Trust.  The Trust has since requested that the Commission self-fund the external legal advice it needs to protect its position in relation to the siting of the statue on land within its control.

The Commission was given legal advice together with options and implications and the recommended course of action.

Commissioners agreed not to change the position adopted in 2018. The Commissioners accepted a generous offer from Geldards solicitors to carry out work for free up to a value of £2,850.  Consequently, the Trust would be required to cover all costs above the level of £2,850.

The Commission’s decision would be communicated to The Rhodri Morgan Trust.

Current contracts for two of the Commission’s five Independent Advisers (Bob Evans and Aled Eirug) were to come to an end in November 2026; both will have competed the maximum two terms. The other three advisers had been appointed to second terms running to Nov 2027.

Commissioners agreed that recruitment activity could begin in the spring, to identify two candidates in readiness for the vacancies arising in November.

Commissioners also supported the proposal to continue recruiting subject-specific expertise as needs evolve. At this time this would include an Adviser with a recognised finance, accountancy or audit qualification, and one with Dignity and Respect expertise.

They agreed an approach to the recruitment activity and indicated support for an approach to the chairing of the ARAC committee for the period from November 2026, which would allow a new Adviser, with a recognised finance, accountancy or audit qualification, to become familiar with the work of the Commission and ARAC.

Commissioners considered the required changes to Senedd Member account and mailbox provision, to address security, confidentiality, and supportability risks; and to email addresses and account naming conventions to ensure consistency and compliance. These were to be introduced concurrently for the 7^th Senedd.

Commissioners highlighted a number of considerations and requested that information be provided to the next meeting to inform a decision.

Commissioners received an update on the timeline for ITV’s proposal to produce a behind-the-scenes documentary at the Senedd.</AI12>

Commissioners noted the decision taken by Executive Board on the 4 December 2025 to improve the way contracts are procured by the Senedd’s Security service for Members’ security equipment during the 7^th Senedd.

Commissioners noted the mid-year KPI position, that overall performance is broadly satisfactory and officials have no significant concerns to report on KPI performance.

Commissioners noted the letter from the Chief Executive to the Chair of the Independent Remuneration Board in response to the invitation to give views on whether the deadline for implementation of the new pay and grading framework should be extended to the 30 June 2026.

Commissioners noted the letter from the Llywydd to Finance Committee in response to the Committee recommendation on the financial implications of the Member Accountability Bill.

To note the letter from the Chief Executive to the Finance Committee regarding a technical change requested by the Welsh Government to the accounting treatment in the Commission’s Second Supplementary Budget. This is to properly recognise, in budgetary terms, the transfer of the agreed amount of cash to the Welsh Government following a rates refund.

To note the routine summary of recruitment decisions provided to each Commission meeting.

Family Friendly and Inclusive Parliament Review – Joyce Watson updated Commissioners on the work being done by the review panel.

Cardiff Heat Network update – Commissioners were informed that they would receive a written update on the Cardiff Heat Network via email shortly after the meeting.

Since the last meeting, Commissioners had received a brief on the Greyhound Bill Judicial Review on 13 January 2026.