The next item is the debate on the Standards of Conduct Committee report. And I call on the Chair of the committee to move the motion—Jayne Bryant.

Motion NDM7493 Jayne Bryant

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Considers the report of the Standards of Conduct Committee, Report 02-20, laid before the Senedd on 25 November 2020 in accordance with Standing Order 22.9.

2. Endorses the recommendation in the report.

Motion moved.

Diolch, Lywydd. As the Chair of the Standards of Conduct Committee, I formally move the motion. The committee considered the report from the Acting Commissioner for Standards in relation to a complaint made against Dai Lloyd MS, regarding the improper use of the Senedd estate. The Standards of Conduct Committee gave the commissioner's report careful consideration, and our report sets out the committee's judgment as to the sanction that is appropriate in this case.

The facts relating to the complaint, and the committee's reasons for the recommendation, are set out in full in the committee's report. The motion tabled invites the Senedd to endorse the committee's recommendation. 

Thank you, Llywydd. I accept the committee's report and its recommendations in full. It's crucial for the smooth running of the Senedd, and to ensure vibrant democracy, that there is a safe space for political groups to arrange and discuss their work in a way that recognises the party context. Where the boundary lies between party and parliamentary work can be unclear. Indeed, the commissioner himself acknowledges that neither the code of conduct nor the guidance, as they were at that time, the time when the meeting was held, back in the summer of 2017, a full three and a half years ago now, gave any guidance on what is appropriate for Members in relation to the use of rooms, and neither did they provide guidance on the meaning of 'party political purposes', to quote the commissioner. 

However, I do accept the decision made by the commissioner, in this specific case, that the use of the room was not within the rules as they existed. I am eager to take the opportunity, however, to stress that this does not relate to the misuse of public funds in any way whatsoever.

In looking to the future, I welcome the fact that the Commission has now updated guidance in relation to use of rooms and Senedd resources more generally. I also welcome the fact that the Commission has noted its willingness to keep the guidance under review, so that there are no unintended consequences arising from them. I do very much hope that all of this will facilitate compliance of Members with rules in the future, and will enable us to carry on with our work in an appropriate manner. Thank you. 

I just want to put on the record that I support the report, and I support the recommendations of the report, but I do believe, as the Conservative representative on this committee, for fullness, all the papers should have been made available to the report—appended to the report. I was outvoted on that, and I respect that decision. And that's why the Conservative group will be abstaining on this report, because we do believe that the papers that were before us should have been available in their entirety in the report. 

Jayne Bryant, the Chair, do you wish to respond?

Diolch, Llywydd. I'd just like to thank both the Members who've taken part in the debate today and put on record their points, and I think that will be clear for everybody to see, and just thank the Members for taking part today. 

The proposal is to agree the motion. Does any Member object? [Objection.] I will defer voting under this item until voting time. We will now suspend proceedings in order to make some changes in the Chamber. So, we'll take a brief break. 

Plenary was suspended at 15:38.

The Senedd reconvened at 15:46, with the Deputy Presiding Officer (Ann Jones) in the Chair.