The next item is the nomination, under Standing Order 10.5, for the appointment of the Auditor General for Wales. I call on the Chair of the Finance Committee to move the motion—Simon Thomas.

Motion NDM6691 Simon Thomas

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with Standing Order 10.5:

1. Expresses its gratitude for the contribution of Huw Vaughan Thomas during his term of office as Auditor General for Wales.

2. Acting under section 2(2) of the Public Audit (Wales) Act 2013, and having consulted representatives of local government bodies in Wales in accordance with section 2(3), nominates Adrian Crompton for appointment by Her Majesty as Auditor General for Wales for a term of eight years to commence immediately after the current Auditor General for Wales ceases to hold office.

Motion moved.

Thank you very much, Llywydd. As Members will be aware, I'm sure, the Auditor General for Wales is a Crown appointment made on the nomination of the whole of the Assembly under section 2 of the Public Audit (Wales) Act 2013. As the committee with delegated responsibility for overseeing arrangements relating to the Wales Audit Office and Auditor General for Wales, the Finance Committee has been fully involved throughout the process of recruiting a new auditor general. Full details of the recruitment process are outlined in the committee’s report. I am therefore pleased to move this motion today, on behalf of the Finance Committee, to nominate Adrian Crompton to Her Majesty for appointment as the Auditor General for Wales.

I would like to thank the current auditor general, Huw Vaughan Thomas, for his valuable contribution during the last seven years in post. Huw was appointed at a difficult time for the Wales Audit Office, but he has worked to make a fundamental difference to the organisational culture and to restore public confidence in the office. The role of auditor general is a vital one in the Welsh public sector, ensuring organisations operate efficiently in their management of public money and that they have robust operating arrangements in place to ensure the highest levels of integrity and governance.

As outlined in the committee’s report, it was vital that the process of recruiting an auditor general was conducted in a way that removes it from any suggestion of political interference. As such, we ensured that two parties were represented on the appointment panel. Nick Ramsay and myself represented the committees we chair, and we were joined by the chair of the Wales Audit Office board and the Auditor General for Scotland. Following the interviews, the preferred candidate attended a public pre-nomination hearing of the cross-party Finance Committee. The committee firmly believes that a pre-nomination hearing ensures open and transparent scrutiny of the candidate identified as the most suitable. Adrian Crompton therefore came before the committee on 31 January. During the hearing, we explored with Mr Crompton his professional competence, how he is planning to undertake the role of auditor general and the experience and expertise he would bring to the position.

I therefore ask the Assembly to agree the motion to nominate Adrian Crompton to Her Majesty for appointment as the Auditor General for Wales.

Can I say that I welcome this motion and the proposed nomination to Her Majesty the Queen? It has been my honour to work with Adrian Crompton for many years, most recently when I was Deputy Presiding Officer. He is a man of the highest integrity, clarity of thought, and of the deepest commitment to scrutiny in public life. Above all, Adrian Crompton has been a champion of the legislative branch of government. This background will make him an outstanding and innovative auditor general, in my view. We wish him well in this most important post. Could I also record my thanks to Huw Thomas, the outgoing auditor general, for all the great work that he has done? We are greatly helped in our role in scrutinising government and public agencies by the work of the auditor general, and there's much promise now with this new appointment.

Can I concur with the sentiments of the Chair of the Finance Committee, and also with my colleague David Melding? It has been a privilege to work with Huw Vaughan Thomas as the Chair of the Public Accounts Committee during this Assembly, and I know that I speak for my predecessors in previous Assemblies in saying that—Darren Millar, David Melding, and also Jonathan Morgan. I'd like to thank Huw for his long and dedicated service to public life in Wales, and for his commitment in advising the Public Accounts Committee in fulfilling its role of holding the Welsh Government to account on its expenditure during that time. Huw should be commended for his notable leadership of the Wales Audit Office and overseeing a period of stability. He's brought a refreshing approach to audit work, shining a light on many important and significant financial and governance matters, which have resulted in protecting the public purse. It is now time to look to the future. I was pleased to play a part in the selection process for the new auditor general, and I look forward to working with Adrian Crompton and the strong team at the Wales Audit Office over the months to come. I'm happy to support this nomination.

Can I also put on record my thanks to the outgoing auditor general, Huw Vaughan Thomas? I had the privilege of being able to serve as Chair of the Public Accounts Committee for five years of his tenure, and, of course, he stepped into that office at a time that was very, very difficult for the Wales Audit Office, because of incidents that had taken place immediately prior to his appointment. But he did so in a way that brought that team together and has consistently, I think, produced very high quality reports, which have been of great benefit to the people of Wales and to this National Assembly in helping to hold the Government to account. He's been an auditor general who has not been afraid to pull any punches in his reports, and he quite rightly will be leaving this office with an excellent record, having served the people of Wales as auditor general for seven years. I think that it's also important to note, though, of course, that he does have this long pedigree of service in public life, including a period in Denbighshire County Council, where he was the chief executive. That was also another period of his public career in which he served the people of my own constituency very well, too. So, I do wish him all the very best, and, of course, I welcome the appointment of Adrian Crompton and look forward to engaging with him in the future.

Committee Chair to reply to the debate—Simon Thomas.

May I thank those Members who have paid tribute to Huw Vaughan Thomas for the important work that he has done in restoring the role of the Auditor General for Wales? The importance of the role is reflected in the legislation that has been passed by this Assembly, the 2013 Act, which establishes the independence of the Auditor General for Wales and ensures that the appointment, although an appointment by Her Majesty, does go through independent processes in the Finance Committee and other committees of this Assembly, and ultimately comes before the Assembly as a whole for approval for nomination to Her Majesty. I look forward as Chair of the Finance Committee, and I'm sure that all Members are also looking forward, to seeing a new auditor general with so much experience, as has already been outlined by David Melding. Independence of view, freedom of thought and the strength to stand up when necessary against governments and other public authorities in Wales—that's what an auditor general needs to do, and I'm pleased to seek the Assembly's support for this nomination made today.  

The proposal is to agree the motion. Does any Member object? The motion is therefore agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

Motion agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.