So, item 16, a debate on the Standards of Conduct Committee report, report 05-21. The Chair of the committee to move the motion—Jayne Bryant.

Motion NDM7679 Jayne Bryant

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Considers the Report of the Standards of Conduct Committee—Report 05-21 laid before the Senedd on 17 March 2021 in accordance with Standing Order 22.9.

2. Endorses the recommendation in the report.

Motion moved.

Diolch, Llywydd. As 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 regarding the conduct of Helen Mary Jones MS. This matter was referred to the Commissioner for Standards by the Member herself. The Standards of Conduct Committee gave the commissioner's report careful consideration and our report sets out the committee's findings and recommendations as to the sanction of censure that is considered appropriate in this case. 

The facts related to the complaint and the committee's reasons for its recommendations are set out in full in the committee's report. The committee also noted and gave credit to the Member for making a self-referral to the commissioner, admitting a breach of the Members' code of conduct. Following the drafting of the report, the Member wrote to the committee with a full apology to the Senedd and complete acceptance of the committee's recommendation. This is annexed to our report.

This will be the last complaint report brought before the Senedd by the Standards of Conduct Committee in the fifth Senedd. In line with the decision of the Business Committee, and as set out in the Llywydd's letter to Members, which was laid before the Senedd on 17 March, the Standards of Conduct Committee will cease any further activity as we enter into the recess and election period. As a committee, we have acted on all reports to us. However, there are matters outstanding that have not completed all stages of the procedure. It will be for the successor committee to determine and publish in due course.

The position from the start of the recess will therefore be as follows: any reports received from the Commissioner for Standards, or appeal decisions received from an independent legally qualified person, will be acknowledged by the committee secretariat. Any such report will be held confidentially, pending the establishment of a Standards of Conduct Committee in the sixth Senedd. Uncompleted consideration of any complaints against a Member who is returned at the election can be resumed by the standards committee of the sixth Senedd. If there are unpublished reports relating to breaches by a Member who is not returned at the election, then it will be for the incoming standards committee to arrange the publication of those reports. The original recommended sanction may no longer be available when asking the Senedd to note the reports. It will also be a matter for the incoming standards committee to publish any anonymised reports where there has been a formal investigation by the commissioner but no breach on the part of the Member has been found. I ask the Senedd to endorse the committee's recommendation.

I have no speakers in this debate. I assume the Chair doesn't want to reply to the debate. Therefore, the proposal is to note the committee's report. Does any Member object? No. The motion is therefore agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

Motion agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.