Events on the Senedd Estate

3. Questions to the Senedd Commission – in the Senedd on 29 March 2023.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Russell George Russell George Conservative

(Translated)

2. How is the Commission simplifying the booking process for hosting events on the Senedd estate? OQ59351

Photo of Elin Jones Elin Jones Plaid Cymru 3:19, 29 March 2023

(Translated)

The Commission is reviewing the existing booking process for hosting events and meetings on the Senedd estate, following changes in the use of the estate post pandemic. The changes that will be introduced immediately include amending the booking form to create separate categories for room and event bookings and to be able to process requests more quickly. The new form will be tested and implemented during the summer term. We're also consulting to gather Members' comments on any possible changes for the future.

Photo of Russell George Russell George Conservative

Thank you, Llywydd. Thank you for your answer. I'm very pleased with your answer, Llywydd. My concern is, there's great difficulty for me and my office when we seem to be trying to host an event in the Senedd. So often I'm told that there's a six-month delay before any event can be organised, and then other times I get told, 'We can't allow that date because it's too far into the future.' But I would appreciate a much more streamlined way of MSs and their offices being able to book meeting rooms in the Senedd. It would be helpful to see what's available, so we can look ourselves and make judgments, and that way it would be a much smoother way; it seems to be quite a bureaucratic way at the moment. But I do hope that the changes that you've talked about can be progressed, Llywydd. Diolch yn fawr.

Photo of Elin Jones Elin Jones Plaid Cymru 3:20, 29 March 2023

Yes, we are aware that there are frustrations with the system currently about the availability of rooms and the booking of those rooms. And in light of the considerable changes, really, in how events and meetings carry on and want to carry on into the future as a result of COVID, especially hybrid meetings or virtual meetings being part of what we can offer now, as well as onsite meetings, then we're going through a consultation exercise with Members to make sure that we're capturing Members' aspirations for what they want to see happening on the estate. So, hopefully everybody will engage with our officers to see what's possible and what can be done to suit the work that Members want to do on this estate.

And also, the point that you also made in your question to make it a bit more open for Members and their staff to see what's already booked, and whether we can progress the idea of an online booking service for some parts of our estate in order to take some of those frustrations out, and to make it all a bit more efficient into the future.

Photo of David Rees David Rees Labour 3:22, 29 March 2023

(Translated)

Question 3, Joyce Watson. Jack Sargeant, sorry. [Laughter.]

Photo of David Rees David Rees Labour

Joyce is answering.