Group 8: Nolan Principles (Amendment 46)

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:43 pm on 13 March 2019.

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Photo of Llyr Gruffydd Llyr Gruffydd Plaid Cymru 4:43, 13 March 2019

This amendment places a duty on the ombudsman to have regard to how a listed authority has had regard to the Nolan principles. Now, as we all know, because I'm sure we read them every day, the Nolan principles apply seven principles to anyone who works as a public office holder, including people who are elected or appointed to public office, or people appointed to work in, for example, the civil service, local government, health, education, social and care services, all those in other sectors as well that deliver public services. Now, we rehearsed some of these arguments at Stage 2, and as I said at Stage 2, I believe that an onus already exists on listed authorities to have regard to the Nolan principles. And the ombudsman's role is to investigate service failure and maladministration, not to investigate whether public authorities are complying with general principles of selflessness and leadership, et cetera. So, whilst I wasn't able to support this amendment at Stage 2, I have nevertheless ensured the revised explanatory memorandum now makes it explicit that in holding public office or working in the public sector, the ombudsman and the listed authorities are required to have regard to the Nolan principles. So, for these reasons, I won't be supporting amendment 46, and I would urge other Members to do likewise.