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national assembly for wales: role of the assembly

national assembly for wales: role of the assembly

The National Assembly for Wales is an unincorporated body made up of 60 elected Assembly members. 40 members are constituency members: 20 members are from the regional list of the respective parties.

The way it conducts its business is governed by approved Standing Orders

The National Assembly for Wales elects a Presiding Officer who has the final say on the interpretation of the Standing Orders. The current Presiding Officer of the National Assembly for Wales is Dafydd Elis-Thomas (Plaid Cymru) and Rosemary Butler (Labour) is the Deputy Presiding Officer.

The National Assembly for Wales:

  • approves the budget for the Executive`s programmes
  • holds Ministers to account
  • scrutinises WAG`s decisions and policies
  • approves draft Orders in Council to seek Parliament’s approval to extending its legislative competence
  • debates, scrutinise and enacts legislation in the form of Assembly Measures
  • receive and consider Assembly Petitions

Assembly Committees

The Assembly has the power to establish a series of Committees. A Minister may not be a member of a Committee. The Assembly has established the following key Committees:

General and Scrutiny Committees:

  • Standards of Conduct Committee
  • Audit Committee
  • Finance Committee
  • Equality of Opportunity Committee
  • European and External Affairs Committee
  • Business Committee
  • Children and Young People Committee
  • Communities and Culture Committee (Broadcasting Sub-Committee)
  • Enterprise and Learning Committee
  • Health, Wellbeing and Local Government Committee
  • Petitions Committee
  • Subordinate Legislation Committee
  • Sustainability Committee
  • Srcutiny of First Minister Committee

Legislative Committees:

Permanent Legislation Committees

  • Legislation Committee No. 1
  • Legislation Committee No. 2
  • Legislation Committee No. 3
  • Legislation Committee No. 4
  • Legislation Committee No. 5
  • Subordinate Legislation Committee

Current committees established specifically to consider proposals for LCOs or Assembly Measures

  • Proposed Environmental Protection and Waste Management LCO Committee
  • Proposed Domestic Fire Safety LCO Committee
  • Proposed Mental Health Services LCO Committee