3. What is the Assembly Commission doing to make the Assembly a more child-friendly place? OAQ(5)0006(AC)

I thank you very much for your question. The Assembly Commission is committed to being family friendly and, in the Senedd, we do have family-friendly and accessible facilities that include baby-changing facilities, an accessible coffee shop, and a regular programme of events aimed at families. We will consult with those visiting families for their thoughts on further improvement to that environment.

I thank Joyce Watson for that response. My reason for asking this question is prompted by the apparent change of use of the parent and child suite to a meeting room. And when I’m talking, I'm talking about small children now, because I think the school-age children who come here in groups have a fantastic service in this Assembly. But the parent and child suite never really was a parent and child suite, because there never was anything in there for children, so it was a bit of a misnomer. But I think we do have an issue if families come here; if mothers want to breastfeed and want privacy, they do need somewhere comfortable and private where they can do that, and I do not think that what is available at the moment, which I assume is the child-changing facility, is suitable. And there isn’t a proper chair for mothers to breastfeed, which can be obtained very easily. So, I’m really asking if we could reassess all this and see how we can make this a child-friendly place, because we unfortunately don’t have a crèche for visiting parents, which is a big blow, really, because, you know, when people come to give evidence to committees, or when they make visits, it would be good if we could have a room, even if we can’t manage a crèche, where there are some playthings for children, some games. I’m sad to say I think a lot of that is sadly lacking in this Assembly building, so I would ask you if you could very seriously look at a proper chair for breastfeeding, somewhere private and comfortable, facilities with games for small children, and something to make it much more of a family-friendly place.

I actually agree with everything that you have just outlined. To that end, I have met with staff here to look at the way that we can improve the facilities. You’re absolutely right to say that the parent and child room had nothing in it, that it was pointless in that regard, but what I can tell the Member is that we have recognised those weaknesses and we are setting about making some of those changes. And one of the changes that has happened at the moment is the suite of gender-neutral toilet facilities that are available, and they will include baby-changing facilities as well, which clearly changes the emphasis as to who should be changing the nappies. Also, the cafe is at the moment child friendly and sells child-friendly produce, and it does offer seating options that include highchairs.

I couldn’t agree more with you about the breastfeeding facilities for mothers, and that we need to make it crystal clear that we are a very welcoming place for mothers, and particularly that we welcome those mothers who want to feed their babies while they’re here. And there are a number of things that we can do towards that, and I think signage plays a big part, and we’re looking at that now. We’re also looking at including privacy areas around the cafe area for mothers and families who would prefer a more private space, and we’re looking at ways that we can achieve that, maybe putting plants, exhibition screens or positioning the seats. I take very much on board what you’re saying about the breastfeeding chairs, and I give you my promise that I will move that forward as a Commissioner.

I think that you raise another point that hadn’t previously been raised, and that’s about witnesses coming here who might need help and might need support for their children, and I think that we can examine that. It is fair though also to point out that—and I used those facilities when I came here when I was re-elected in May—there are toys, soft toys and other games that are available for children, because I brought my grandchildren here and they played with them. It is the case also that the staff do all that they can to make those children welcome. The shortage, actually, is in the areas that you’ve outlined. I think that, in consultation with Members who are interested, but also those people who want to come here and think their needs aren’t met through what we currently have, we can only move towards improving that.

Thank you very much.