Item 10 is next. These are the Corporate Joint Committees (General) (No. 2) (Wales) Regulations 2022, and I call on the Minister for Finance and Local Government to move the motion—Rebecca Evans.

Motion NDM8052 Lesley Griffiths

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 27.5:

1. Approves that the draft The Corporate Joint Committees (General) (No. 2) (Wales) Regulations 2022 is made in accordance with the draft laid in the Table Office on 21 June 2022.

Motion moved.

Diolch, Llywydd. I move the motion. The Corporate Joint Committees (General) (No. 2) (Wales) Regulations 2022, along with a handful of minor ancillary statutory instruments that will be laid shortly, represent the final substantive tranche of legislation to establish the legal framework for CJCs. I'm grateful to Members for their consideration of these regulations and the previous three tranches of legislation that have provided for these important new public bodies.

The regulations before us today include provision applying the local government performance and governance regime to CJCs. They also deal with their overview and scrutiny. At the end of June, CJCs' duties commenced, which have big impacts for local authorities and people living in their areas. The CJCs are required to prepare a strategic development plan and a regional transport plan. The CJCs are also now able to exercise a power to do anything to enhance or promote the economic well-being of their areas. This makes it possible to bring city and growth deal governance arrangements alongside other strategic planning for the region. CJCs represent a consistent and accountable mechanism to support regional collaboration where it makes sense to do so. How a CJC delivers its functions and operates will largely be for determination by its members. The flexibility enables CJCs to differ between geographical areas to meet the specific needs and ambitions of their region. I will shortly be meeting each of the four CJC chairs and members to hear about the progress that they have made and to understand their ambition for regional collaboration. Diolch.

In terms of these regulations put forward on CJCs, we certainly support that closer link with local authorities, and so, from our side of the benches today, we will be supporting the motion.

Does the Minister wish to respond?

Do you wish to respond?

Only to say thank you very much to the Welsh Conservatives for their support today. I'm grateful to Members for their interest in this. As this is the final substantive tranche of legislation to establish the legal framework for CJCs, I just want to recognise all the work that's gone in by officials in getting us to this point, and also to the stakeholders who have helped us so greatly on the journey. 

The proposal is to agree the motion. 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.