4. Will the Commission provide guidance to Members on the safe reopening of constituency offices? OQ55371

Individual Members are duty bound to keep employers and visitors safe in their constituency and regional offices, and they are responsible for deciding whether they have taken appropriate measures. The Commission is producing documents to supplement the Welsh Government's advice in a way that is designed to support Members to deliver their responsibilities as employers and controllers of premises. 

Diolch, Llywydd. I will not be the only AM who feels that our constituents now wish to see our offices opened, so that advice surgeries can take place in person. Now, according to the 'Keep Wales safe at work' guidance issued by the Welsh Government, it states:

'All risks should be assessed, with meaningful discussion with staff'.

To date, however, I have only been asked to undertake a very simple and vague questionnaire from the Commission. So, is the Commission planning to undertake a risk assessment, guidance and advice to us as Members for a safe return, and for this to be soon? From what budget will the cost of safety precautions and social distancing measures be met? And why is it taking so long for any clear guidance to be issued by the Commission, especially when the Welsh Government has asked all employers and all other businesses to communicate with clarity and consistency? I believe that we, as Members, need that guidance. As regards the estate, particularly in Cardiff Bay, it does appear that you are taking all appropriate measures there, but yet, in our constituency offices, it does feel very much like we are on our own in this, and I don't find that acceptable as a Member. I want to be very dutiful to my staff in the first place, and my constituents as well. Thank you. 

As I said, constituency offices and regional offices are the responsibility of the elected Member, and the elected Member, of course, is responsible for their own staff issues as well. We will provide the guidance that's required and requested, but it is a matter for individual Members to decide when it is appropriate and safe to undertake any work that they wish to do from their offices. We are all, of course, under the general guidance of working from home if it is possible to do so, and the very vast majority of all our staff, both as individual Members and as Commission staff, have been able to effectively work from home to date. But if Members feel that more guidance is required to Members on reopening, even if they believe that that needs to be available to Members on a case-by-case basis, then, please, Members, contact the Commission and we'll provide that guidance in individual cases. But, I repeat that the conduct and the workplace of the regional and constituency office is a matter for individual Members. Also, in terms of the answer on costs, of course, some elements will fall to the Commission and its budget, but very many aspects of these costs that any Member may wish to claim for will be part of the responsibility of the remuneration board.