6. Motion to delegate authority to make the arrangements for recruiting a new Commissioner for Standards to the Chief Executive and Clerk

– in the Senedd at 3:48 pm on 7 October 2020.

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Photo of David Melding David Melding Conservative 3:48, 7 October 2020

Item 6 is a Standards of Conduct Committee debate: the recruitment of the commissioner for standards. And I call on the Chair of the committee, Jayne Bryant, to move the motion.

(Translated)

Motion NDM7419 Jayne Bryant

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with section 3 of, and paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Schedule to, the National Assembly for Wales Commissioner for Standards Measure 2009 delegates the making of arrangements for the recruitment of the Commissioner for Standards (but not the appointment of the person so identified) to the Clerk of the Senedd.

 

(Translated)

Motion moved.

Photo of Jayne Bryant Jayne Bryant Labour 3:48, 7 October 2020

Diolch, acting Presiding Officer. Can I just—is it possible to clarify something first of all, acting Presiding Officer?

Photo of David Melding David Melding Conservative

Yes. Please, go ahead, go on.

Photo of Jayne Bryant Jayne Bryant Labour

Sorry—the first point is to move the motion to delegate authority for making arrangements for recruiting a new standards commissioner.

Photo of David Melding David Melding Conservative

Yes, that is the case. Then there is another motion—

Photo of David Melding David Melding Conservative

—on the remuneration of the acting commissioner.

Photo of Jayne Bryant Jayne Bryant Labour

Thank you. I formally move the motion to delegate authority for making the arrangements for recruiting a new commissioner for standards to the Clerk of the Senedd.

The National Assembly for Wales Commissioner for Standards Measure 2009 sets out that the arrangements for recruiting a new commissioner be delegated to either in whole or in part to the Commission, to the Committee on Standards of Conduct or to the staff of the Senedd.

This motion seeks to delegate that authority to the Clerk of the Senedd, while recognising that the final decision for the appointment would remain with the Senedd as stipulated by the Measure.

Acting Llywydd, it's the Standards of Conduct Committee's aim to ensure that a commissioner is recruited who is able to help maintain the high standards of conduct required for a Parliament, and therefore, if this motion is passed today, it is our intention to work with the Clerk during this recruitment to help recruit the best possible person to this very important role. 

Photo of David Melding David Melding Conservative 3:49, 7 October 2020

No speakers have indicated they wish to be called in this debate, and therefore I assume that you don't want to speak again to the matter, Jayne. I therefore say that the proposal is to agree the motion. Does any Member object? I see no Member objecting, and therefore the motion is agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

(Translated)

Motion agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.