, Finance Committee
Motion under Standing Order 17.42(ix) to resolve to exclude the public from the remainder of this meeting
And so I move on now to item 4. Where are my notes? I propose in accordance with Standing Order 17.42(ix) that the committee resolves to exclude the public from the remainder of the meeting. Are Members content? I see that they are; no problem. Thank you very…
, Finance Committee
Pre-nomination Hearing - Auditor General for Wales
Thank you very much. Well, that brings us to the end of our public session today. So, there will be a transcript available for you, Catherine, to check for accuracy.
, Finance Committee
Pre-nomination Hearing - Auditor General for Wales
Thank you, Mark. Well, that brings us to the end of our questions. Did you want to say anything further at this point, or—? We've obviously grilled you for an hour or so, so I just wondered if you had any closing remarks.
, Finance Committee
Pre-nomination Hearing - Auditor General for Wales
Mark.
, Finance Committee
Pre-nomination Hearing - Auditor General for Wales
Diolch, Adam. Sam.
, Finance Committee
Pre-nomination Hearing - Auditor General for Wales
Diolch, Mike. I'll come over to Adam.
, Finance Committee
Pre-nomination Hearing - Auditor General for Wales
I'll bring Mike Hedges in, please. Diolch, Mike.
, Finance Committee
Pre-nomination Hearing - Auditor General for Wales
Mark.
, Finance Committee
Pre-nomination Hearing - Auditor General for Wales
You talked there about the, 'What would they say about me after I'd left?' aspect. Well, as Adrian leaves, Adrian has his own style, and you have your own style. But what could the public sector expect from you as you go into the role? What's going to be, I…
, Finance Committee
Pre-nomination Hearing - Auditor General for Wales
Thank you very much for that. What do you see as your early priorities, then? You're through the appointment process now, as we come to the end of that, and what do you see as your main objectives and, as you've touched on a few of the challenges in your…
, Finance Committee
Pre-nomination Hearing - Auditor General for Wales
This is our substantive item for this morning. It's the pre-nomination hearing for the Auditor General for Wales. We have our preferred candidate with us, Catherine Mealing-Jones, and welcome to you here. As Members will be aware, the term of the current…
, Finance Committee
Papers to note
So, we'll move on to item 2, which is the papers to note. Is everyone happy to note those papers? I see that they are, by nodding. Thank you very much for that, and we'll move on to item 3.
, Finance Committee
Introductions, apologies, substitutions and declarations of interest
Welcome to this meeting of the Finance Committee. This meeting is bilingual and interpretation is available for this meeting. Could I just check whether any Members have any interests to declare? No, I see that they don't. Rhianon Passmore is running late…
, Plenary
Debate: The Local Government Settlement 2026-27
The draft budget put local government in a terrible position, with a 2 per cent increase leaving councils £436 million worse off. This could have meant either a 22 per cent council tax increase, or 14,000 job losses. The Welsh Local Government Association…
, Plenary
Debate: The Final Budget 2026-27
As this is the last debate on the final budget before the end of this Senedd, I would also like to take this opportunity to once again thank all of the organisations, individuals and young people who have given of their time to share their views with us and…
, Plenary
Debate: The Final Budget 2026-27
First of all, I welcome that the Cabinet Secretary accepted our recommendation to appear before the committee to discuss issues relating to the final budget, which took place at our meeting last week. In a year when there are significant changes between the…
, Plenary
Debate: The Final Budget 2026-27
Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd. I welcome the opportunity to contribute to today's debate on the Welsh Government's final budget on behalf of the Finance Committee. The committee's report on the draft budget included 33 recommendations, and I'm pleased that the…
, Plenary
Finance Committee Debate: 'Post-legislative review of the Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2019'
Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd, and thank you to everyone who has participated in the debate this afternoon. Some themes have emerged from our three speakers, as well as the Cabinet Secretary, in terms of own-initiative powers and how those are used, and how we…
, Plenary
Finance Committee Debate: 'Post-legislative review of the Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2019'
Dirprwy Lywydd, this work has reaffirmed a fundamental principle, namely that post-legislative scrutiny is vital. It ensures that laws that are passed by the Senedd continue to serve the public effectively, delivering on their intended objectives and…
, Plenary
Finance Committee Debate: 'Post-legislative review of the Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2019'
As part of the review, we heard from a wide range of stakeholders and experts. Their insights have helped us to understand the impact of the Act and identify areas where further clarity, support or reform may be needed. We would like to thank everybody who…
, Plenary
Finance Committee Debate: 'Post-legislative review of the Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2019'
Thank you very much, Dirprwy Lywydd. I'm very pleased to be able to speak in this debate today. The Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2019 is a landmark piece of legislation. It came after calls to strengthen the independence and accessibility of the…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning
Thank you very much. During my visits around my region, I found that co-operation is a quality that is often intrinsic within people living in Wales and our communities. Sadly, our communities do not enjoy the same rights as their Scottish or English…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning
Thank you very much for that response.
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning
1. How is the Government promoting the co-operative economy in South Wales East? OQ63702
, Finance Committee
Motion under Standing Order 17.42(ix) to resolve to exclude the public from the remainder of this meeting
Under Standing Order 17.42(ix), we resolve to exclude the public from the remainder of this meeting. Is that okay? Yes. We'll go into private. Thank you.
