The Reform Bill Committee, Finance Committee, and Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee have decided to advance the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill to Stage 2, following a period of scrutiny and consultation.

URL: https://business.senedd.wales/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=500000371

Decision Maker: Reform Bill Committee, Finance Committee, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: A Welsh Government Bill, introduced by Mick Antoniw MS, Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution. The Business Committee referred the Bill to the Reform Bill Committee for Stage 1 scrutiny of the general principles.   About the Bill   If passed, the Bill will: >>>>  >>>Increase the size of the Senedd to 96 Members. >>>Decrease the length of time between Senedd ordinary general elections from five to four years. >>>Increase the maximum number of Deputy Presiding Officers from one to two. >>>Increase the legislative limit on the size of the Welsh Government to 17 (plus the First Minister and Counsel General), with power to further increase the limit to 18 or 19. >>>Require candidates to, and Members of, the Senedd to be resident in Wales (by disqualifying candidates and Members who are not registered to vote in a Senedd constituency). >>>Provide a mechanism for the Seventh Senedd’s consideration of job-sharing of offices relating to the Senedd (by requiring the Llywydd in the Seventh Senedd to propose the establishment of a Senedd committee to review specified matters). >>>Change the Senedd’s electoral system so that all Members are elected via closed list proportional representation, with votes translated into seats via the D’Hondt formula. >>>Repurpose and rename the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales; provide the renamed Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru (DBCC) with the functions needed to establish new Senedd constituencies and undertake ongoing reviews of Senedd constituency boundaries; and provide instructions for the DBCC to follow when undertaking boundary reviews. >>>Provide for review of the operation and effect of the new legislative provisions following the 2026 election (by requiring the Llywydd after the election to propose the establishment of a Senedd committee to review specified matters). <<<<    Further detail about the Bill can be found in its accompanying Explanatory Memorandum.   Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill, as introduced (PDF, 231KB)   Explanatory Memorandum (PDF, 1.9MB)   Further information and analysis is also available in Senedd Research publications, including a summary of the Bill.     Committee reports Stage 1 reports on the Bill were published by the Reform Bill Committee, the Finance Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee on 19 January 2024. The Reform Bill Committee also published a summary of its recommendations.   Responses to Committee reports will be published in the relevant sections below.   Current Stage   BillStage2   The Bill is currently at Stage 2. An explanation of the various stages of Senedd Bills is available in the Guide to the Stages of Public Bills and Acts.   Record of passage in the Welsh Parliament The following table sets out the dates for each stage of the Bill’s passage through the Senedd.     ¬¬¬Stage 2, Committee consideration of amendments (Current) Stage 2 began on 31 January 2024. Details of tabled amendments will be published here.   On 31 January 2024, in accordance with Standing Order 26.17(iii), the Senedd agreed that Stage 2 proceedings of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill would be considered by a Committee of the Whole Senedd.   Notice of Amendments: 1 February 2024   Notice of Amendments: 7 February 2024   Notice of Amendments: 8 February 2024   Notice of Amendments: 12 February 2024   Notice of Amendments: 15 February 2024   zzz ¬¬¬Financial Resolution (30 January 2024) In accordance with Standing Order 26.68 the Presiding Officer indicated that a financial resolution was required for this Bill. Further information about financial resolutions is available in section 3 of the Guide to the scrutiny stages for Public Bills.   A Financial Resolution in relation to the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill was agreed in Plenary on 30 January 2024.   zzz ¬¬¬Stage 1, Committee consideration of the general principles (18 September 2023-30 January 2024) A debate took place in Plenary on 30 January 2024. The motion to agree the general principles of the Bill was agreed.   The Reform Bill Committee agreed its approach to Stage 1 consideration on 20 September 2023.   The Committee’s consultation on the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill closed on 3 November 2023.   As part of its work, the Committee discussed the Bill with members of the Welsh Youth Parliament. It also published information about the Bill and an online form to enable Welsh Youth Parliament members and other children or young people to share their views. The deadline for responses was Friday 10 November.   Committee dates The Reform Bill Committee considered the Bill on the following dates:   Date and Agenda Purpose of meeting Transcript Senedd.TV 20 September 2023 Consideration of approach to Stage 1 scrutiny (Private) (private) (private) 5 October 2023 Evidence session with the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution Transcript View meeting 26 October 2023 Evidence sessions Transcript View meeting 9 November 2023 Evidence sessions Transcript View meeting 15 November 2023 Evidence sessions Transcript View meeting 22 November 2023 Evidence sessions Transcript View meeting 30 November 2023 Evidence sessions Transcript View meeting 13 December 2023 Evidence session with the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution Transcript View meeting 10 January 2024 Consideration of draft report (private) (private)   The Reform Bill Committee laid its report on 19 January 2024. A summary of the recommendations is also available in pdf and as a web version.   Responses to the report   Response from the Standards of Conduct Committee - Stage 1 Report – 22 January 2024   Response from the Business Committee – Stage 1 Report – 25 January 2024   Response from the Senedd Commission - Stage 1 Report - 26 January 2024      Response from the Independent Remuneration Board of the Senedd - Stage 1 Report - 26 January 2024     Response from the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution - Stage 1 Report - 26 January 2024   Response from the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution - Stage 1 Report – 6 February 2024     Correspondence Correspondence with the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution Letter to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution regarding the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill - 16 October 2023   Response from the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution regarding the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill – 8 November 2023   Letter to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution regarding the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill - 22 November 2023   Response from the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution regarding the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill - 1 December 2023   Letter from the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution regarding a joint schedule of amendments for the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill and the Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Bill - 11 December 2023   Letter from the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution to the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee - 11 December 2023   Joint schedule of amendments: Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Bill and the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill - 11 December 2023   Letter to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution - Stage 1 Report – 19 January 2024 Correspondence regarding the anticipated gender quotas Bill Letter to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution regarding the anticipated gender quotas Bill – 26 September 2023   Response from the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution regarding the anticipated gender quotas Bill - 20 October 2023   Letter to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution regarding the anticipated gender quotas Bill – 25 October 2023   Response from the Deputy Minister for Social Partnership regarding the anticipated gender quotas Bill - 1 November 2023   Correspondence with the Petitions Committee Letter from the Petitions Committee regarding Petition P-06-1334 Make the Senedd More Representative of the Welsh Population - 2 October 2023   Response from the Reform Bill Committee to the Petitions Committee regarding Petition P-06-1334 Make the Senedd More Representative of the Welsh Population - 3 October 2023   Letter from the Petitions Committee regarding Senedd reform petitions - 3 October 2023   Response from the Reform Bill Committee to the Petitions Committee regarding Senedd reform petitions - 5 October 2023   Correspondence with the former Chair of the Special Purpose Committee on Senedd Reform Letter to the former Chair of the Special Purpose Committee on Senedd Reform regarding the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill - 16 October 2023   Response from the former Chair of the Special Purpose Committee on Senedd Reform - 2 November 2023   Correspondence with the former Chair of the Committee on Senedd Electoral Reform Letter to the former Chair of the Committee on Senedd Electoral Reform regarding the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill - 16 November 2023   Response from the former Chair of the Committee on Senedd Electoral Reform regarding the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill - 19 December 2023   Correspondence with the Independent Remuneration Board of the Senedd Letter to the Independent Remuneration Board of the Senedd - Stage 1 Report – 19 January 2024   Correspondence with the Local Government and Housing Committee Letter to the Local Government and Housing Committee regarding the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill - 16 November 2023   Correspondence with the First Minister and the Leader of Plaid Cymru Letter to the First Minister and the Leader of Plaid Cymru regarding the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill - 22 November 2023   Response from the First Minister regarding the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill - 29 November 2023   Correspondence with the Standards Commissioner Letter to the Standards Commissioner regarding the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill - 24 November 2023   Response from the Standards Commissioner regarding the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections Bill) - 4 December 2023   Correspondence with the Standards of Conduct Committee Letter to the Standards of Conduct Committee - Stage 1 Report – 19 January 2024   Correspondence with the Senedd Commission Response from the Llywydd regarding the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill - 1 December 2023   Letter to the Senedd Commission regarding the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill and constituency office provision - 1 December 2023 Response from the Senedd Commission regarding the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill and constituency office provision - 14 December 2023   Letter to the Llywydd - Stage 1 Report – 19 January 2024   Additional information Additional information provided by Professor Laura McAllister and Dr Vale Gomes following the evidence session on 26 October 2023   Additional information provided by Boundaries Scotland following the evidence session on 9 November 2023   Additional information provided by the Electoral Reform Society Cymru following the evidence session on 9 November 2023   Additional information provided by the Electoral Commission following the evidence session on 22 November 2023   The Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee considered the Bill on the following dates:   Date and Agenda Purpose of meeting Transcript Senedd.TV 16 October 2023 Evidence session with the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution Transcript Senedd.TV   The Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee laid its report on 19 January 2024. The Welsh Government responded to the report on 26 January 2024.   The Finance Committee considered the Bill on the following dates:   Date and Agenda Purpose of meeting Transcript Senedd.TV 11 October 2023 Evidence session with the Senedd Commission Transcript Senedd.TV 11 October 2023 Evidence session with the Remuneration Board Transcript Senedd.TV 18 October 2023 Evidence session with the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution Transcript Senedd.TV   The Finance Committee laid its report on 19 January 2024. The Committee received a response from the Welsh Government on 26 January 2024. The Finance Committee wrote to the Counsel General and Minister for the constitution on 8 February 2024 to clarify matters relating to costs to the Senedd Commission     Correspondence   Additional information from the Senedd Commission in relation to the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill - 31 October 2023   Letter from the Chair of the Independent Remuneration Board to the Chair of the Finance Committee - 23 October 2023   zzz ¬¬¬Bill introduced (18 September 2023) Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill, as introduced (PDF, 231KB)   Explanatory Memorandum (PDF, 1.9MB)   Statement of Policy Intent (PDF, 307KB)   Presiding Officer’s Statement: 18 September 2023 (PDF, 146KB) Written Statement by the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution –  18 September 2023   Business Committee’s Report on the timetable for consideration of the Bill, 18 September 2023 (PDF, 38KB)   Business Committee’s Report on the revised timetable for consideration of the Bill, 11 January 2024 (PDF, 24.3KB)   Statement by the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution – 19 September 2023   Bilingual Glossary (PDF, 118KB)   zzz   Contact information Clerk: Helen Finlayson Phone:0300 200 6565   Postal address: Welsh Parliament Cardiff Bay Cardiff     CF99 1SN   e-mail: [email protected]

Content: A Welsh Government Bill, introduced by Mick Antoniw MS, Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution. The Business Committee referred the Bill to the Reform Bill Committee for Stage 1 scrutiny of the general principles.   About the Bill   If passed, the Bill will: >>>>  >>>Increase the size of the Senedd to 96 Members. >>>Decrease the length of time between Senedd ordinary general elections from five to four years. >>>Increase the maximum number of Deputy Presiding Officers from one to two. >>>Increase the legislative limit on the size of the Welsh Government to 17 (plus the First Minister and Counsel General), with power to further increase the limit to 18 or 19. >>>Require candidates to, and Members of, the Senedd to be resident in Wales (by disqualifying candidates and Members who are not registered to vote in a Senedd constituency). >>>Provide a mechanism for the Seventh Senedd’s consideration of job-sharing of offices relating to the Senedd (by requiring the Llywydd in the Seventh Senedd to propose the establishment of a Senedd committee to review specified matters). >>>Change the Senedd’s electoral system so that all Members are elected via closed list proportional representation, with votes translated into seats via the D’Hondt formula. >>>Repurpose and rename the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales; provide the renamed Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru (DBCC) with the functions needed to establish new Senedd constituencies and undertake ongoing reviews of Senedd constituency boundaries; and provide instructions for the DBCC to follow when undertaking boundary reviews. >>>Provide for review of the operation and effect of the new legislative provisions following the 2026 election (by requiring the Llywydd after the election to propose the establishment of a Senedd committee to review specified matters). <<<<    Further detail about the Bill can be found in its accompanying Explanatory Memorandum.   Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill, as introduced (PDF, 231KB)   Explanatory Memorandum (PDF, 1.9MB)   Further information and analysis is also available in Senedd Research publications, including a summary of the Bill.     Committee reports Stage 1 reports on the Bill were published by the Reform Bill Committee, the Finance Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee on 19 January 2024. The Reform Bill Committee also published a summary of its recommendations.   Responses to Committee reports will be published in the relevant sections below.   Current Stage   BillStage2   The Bill is currently at Stage 2. An explanation of the various stages of Senedd Bills is available in the Guide to the Stages of Public Bills and Acts.   Record of passage in the Welsh Parliament The following table sets out the dates for each stage of the Bill’s passage through the Senedd.     ¬¬¬Stage 2, Committee consideration of amendments (Current) Stage 2 began on 31 January 2024. Details of tabled amendments will be published here.   On 31 January 2024, in accordance with Standing Order 26.17(iii), the Senedd agreed that Stage 2 proceedings of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill would be considered by a Committee of the Whole Senedd.   Notice of Amendments: 1 February 2024   Notice of Amendments: 7 February 2024   Notice of Amendments: 8 February 2024   Notice of Amendments: 12 February 2024   Notice of Amendments: 15 February 2024   zzz ¬¬¬Financial Resolution (30 January 2024) In accordance with Standing Order 26.68 the Presiding Officer indicated that a financial resolution was required for this Bill. Further information about financial resolutions is available in section 3 of the Guide to the scrutiny stages for Public Bills.   A Financial Resolution in relation to the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill was agreed in Plenary on 30 January 2024.   zzz ¬¬¬Stage 1, Committee consideration of the general principles (18 September 2023-30 January 2024) A debate took place in Plenary on 30 January 2024. The motion to agree the general principles of the Bill was agreed.   The Reform Bill Committee agreed its approach to Stage 1 consideration on 20 September 2023.   The Committee’s consultation on the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill closed on 3 November 2023.   As part of its work, the Committee discussed the Bill with members of the Welsh Youth Parliament. It also published information about the Bill and an online form to enable Welsh Youth Parliament members and other children or young people to share their views. The deadline for responses was Friday 10 November.   Committee dates The Reform Bill Committee considered the Bill on the following dates:   Date and Agenda Purpose of meeting Transcript Senedd.TV 20 September 2023 Consideration of approach to Stage 1 scrutiny (Private) (private) (private) 5 October 2023 Evidence session with the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution Transcript View meeting 26 October 2023 Evidence sessions Transcript View meeting 9 November 2023 Evidence sessions Transcript View meeting 15 November 2023 Evidence sessions Transcript View meeting 22 November 2023 Evidence sessions Transcript View meeting 30 November 2023 Evidence sessions Transcript View meeting 13 December 2023 Evidence session with the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution Transcript View meeting 10 January 2024 Consideration of draft report (private) (private)   The Reform Bill Committee laid its report on 19 January 2024. A summary of the recommendations is also available in pdf and as a web version.   Responses to the report   Response from the Standards of Conduct Committee - Stage 1 Report – 22 January 2024   Response from the Business Committee – Stage 1 Report – 25 January 2024   Response from the Senedd Commission - Stage 1 Report - 26 January 2024      Response from the Independent Remuneration Board of the Senedd - Stage 1 Report - 26 January 2024     Response from the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution - Stage 1 Report - 26 January 2024   Response from the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution - Stage 1 Report – 6 February 2024     Correspondence Correspondence with the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution Letter to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution regarding the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill - 16 October 2023   Response from the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution regarding the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill – 8 November 2023   Letter to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution regarding the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill - 22 November 2023   Response from the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution regarding the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill - 1 December 2023   Letter from the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution regarding a joint schedule of amendments for the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill and the Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Bill - 11 December 2023   Letter from the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution to the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee - 11 December 2023   Joint schedule of amendments: Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Bill and the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill - 11 December 2023   Letter to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution - Stage 1 Report – 19 January 2024 Correspondence regarding the anticipated gender quotas Bill Letter to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution regarding the anticipated gender quotas Bill – 26 September 2023   Response from the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution regarding the anticipated gender quotas Bill - 20 October 2023   Letter to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution regarding the anticipated gender quotas Bill – 25 October 2023   Response from the Deputy Minister for Social Partnership regarding the anticipated gender quotas Bill - 1 November 2023   Correspondence with the Petitions Committee Letter from the Petitions Committee regarding Petition P-06-1334 Make the Senedd More Representative of the Welsh Population - 2 October 2023   Response from the Reform Bill Committee to the Petitions Committee regarding Petition P-06-1334 Make the Senedd More Representative of the Welsh Population - 3 October 2023   Letter from the Petitions Committee regarding Senedd reform petitions - 3 October 2023   Response from the Reform Bill Committee to the Petitions Committee regarding Senedd reform petitions - 5 October 2023   Correspondence with the former Chair of the Special Purpose Committee on Senedd Reform Letter to the former Chair of the Special Purpose Committee on Senedd Reform regarding the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill - 16 October 2023   Response from the former Chair of the Special Purpose Committee on Senedd Reform - 2 November 2023   Correspondence with the former Chair of the Committee on Senedd Electoral Reform Letter to the former Chair of the Committee on Senedd Electoral Reform regarding the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill - 16 November 2023   Response from the former Chair of the Committee on Senedd Electoral Reform regarding the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill - 19 December 2023   Correspondence with the Independent Remuneration Board of the Senedd Letter to the Independent Remuneration Board of the Senedd - Stage 1 Report – 19 January 2024   Correspondence with the Local Government and Housing Committee Letter to the Local Government and Housing Committee regarding the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill - 16 November 2023   Correspondence with the First Minister and the Leader of Plaid Cymru Letter to the First Minister and the Leader of Plaid Cymru regarding the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill - 22 November 2023   Response from the First Minister regarding the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill - 29 November 2023   Correspondence with the Standards Commissioner Letter to the Standards Commissioner regarding the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill - 24 November 2023   Response from the Standards Commissioner regarding the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections Bill) - 4 December 2023   Correspondence with the Standards of Conduct Committee Letter to the Standards of Conduct Committee - Stage 1 Report – 19 January 2024   Correspondence with the Senedd Commission Response from the Llywydd regarding the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill - 1 December 2023   Letter to the Senedd Commission regarding the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill and constituency office provision - 1 December 2023 Response from the Senedd Commission regarding the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill and constituency office provision - 14 December 2023   Letter to the Llywydd - Stage 1 Report – 19 January 2024   Additional information Additional information provided by Professor Laura McAllister and Dr Vale Gomes following the evidence session on 26 October 2023   Additional information provided by Boundaries Scotland following the evidence session on 9 November 2023   Additional information provided by the Electoral Reform Society Cymru following the evidence session on 9 November 2023   Additional information provided by the Electoral Commission following the evidence session on 22 November 2023   The Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee considered the Bill on the following dates:   Date and Agenda Purpose of meeting Transcript Senedd.TV 16 October 2023 Evidence session with the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution Transcript Senedd.TV   The Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee laid its report on 19 January 2024. The Welsh Government responded to the report on 26 January 2024.   The Finance Committee considered the Bill on the following dates:   Date and Agenda Purpose of meeting Transcript Senedd.TV 11 October 2023 Evidence session with the Senedd Commission Transcript Senedd.TV 11 October 2023 Evidence session with the Remuneration Board Transcript Senedd.TV 18 October 2023 Evidence session with the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution Transcript Senedd.TV   The Finance Committee laid its report on 19 January 2024. The Committee received a response from the Welsh Government on 26 January 2024. The Finance Committee wrote to the Counsel General and Minister for the constitution on 8 February 2024 to clarify matters relating to costs to the Senedd Commission     Correspondence   Additional information from the Senedd Commission in relation to the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill - 31 October 2023   Letter from the Chair of the Independent Remuneration Board to the Chair of the Finance Committee - 23 October 2023   zzz ¬¬¬Bill introduced (18 September 2023) Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill, as introduced (PDF, 231KB)   Explanatory Memorandum (PDF, 1.9MB)   Statement of Policy Intent (PDF, 307KB)   Presiding Officer’s Statement: 18 September 2023 (PDF, 146KB) Written Statement by the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution –  18 September 2023   Business Committee’s Report on the timetable for consideration of the Bill, 18 September 2023 (PDF, 38KB)   Business Committee’s Report on the revised timetable for consideration of the Bill, 11 January 2024 (PDF, 24.3KB)   Statement by the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution – 19 September 2023   Bilingual Glossary (PDF, 118KB)   zzz   Contact information Clerk: Helen Finlayson Phone:0300 200 6565   Postal address: Welsh Parliament Cardiff Bay Cardiff     CF99 1SN   e-mail: [email protected] The Committee received evidence from the Independent Remuneration Board of the Senedd.  

Date of Decision: November 30, 2023