Senedd takes evidence on sacking misbehaving politicians

Published

1 month ago

October 16, 2024

SENEDD members took evidence on following Scotland’s lead by developing a recall system to allow voters to remove badly behaving politicians from office between elections.

Graham Simpson, a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP), gave evidence on his proposed recall bill to the Senedd’s standards committee on October 14.

Mr Simpson said his bill, which will be introduced by the end of this year, would automatically disqualify MSPs if they receive a prison sentence of six months or more.

As in Cardiff Bay and Westminster, the current threshold is 12 months while for councillors, a prison sentence of three months or more triggers disqualification.

Conservative MSP Mr Simpson explained that the bill would extend a rule for councillors to MSPs, so they too can be removed if they do not attend meetings for six months.

Wales would be the only part of Britain without a similar mechanism if the Scottish bill was agreed, with the UK Parliament introducing a recall system nearly a decade ago.

Hannah Blythyn – the newly elected chair of the committee, which is looking at options for following suit – asked about the triggers for a recall petition under the Scottish proposal.

Mr Simpson said the triggers would be the same as Westminster’s: a custodial sentence for 12 months or less, a suspension of at least ten days or an expenses offence conviction.

With Senedd elections moving to a fully proportional system, and Wales abandoning first past the post, Labour’s Mick Antoniw questioned how the recall system would operate.

Wales will adopt a “closed-list” electoral system in 2026 and by-elections will not be held to replace outgoing politicians, with the next candidate on a party’s list returned instead.

Mr Simpson said this posed a problem under Scotland’s additional member system, which like Wales currently, uses a mixture of first past the post and proportional representation.

Under his proposal, 10% of voters would need to sign a recall petition across a region with at least 10% in three constituencies to “prevent personal campaigns in one part of the region”.

Mr Simpson, one of seven regional-list MSPs for Central Scotland, explained that a yes-no vote would then be held instead of a by-election, with a simple majority required.

The Conservative said: “The question would be ‘should this person keep their job?’. That wouldn’t be the question on the ballot paper, obviously, but that’s basically it.”

He told the committee that the next person on the party’s list would replace the MSP.

Mr Simson added: “What I’ve been keen to do is give the member, who is subject to the recall petition, the opportunity to put their case to the electorate”.

The Conservatives’ Samuel Kurtz questioned whether electing the next candidate on the party list is fair, suggesting it may be better for the electorate to have a “full and open say”.

Mr Simpson pointed out that if he resigned now, he would be replaced by the next on the list.

“That’s just the way of it,” he said. “I don’t like that system but that’s what we’re stuck with.

“And you’re going in Wales entirely to that system that puts the power in the hands of the parties and not the electorate.”

Plaid Cymru’s Peredur Owen Griffiths asked whether sanctions should be subject to a two-thirds majority vote of the Senedd rather than a recall petition.

“No, I don’t think that would be fair,” said the MSP. “Not least because we have a recall system for MPs, I think there should be an equivalent system for members of the Senedd….

“There is always a danger of these things becoming political.”

In May, Michael Matheson, Scotland’s former health secretary, was suspended from the Holyrood parliament for 27 days over an £11,000 bill for iPad roaming charges.

Mr Simpson said: “Had there been a recall system in place then that member could have been subject to it … it would kick in if a member is suspended for ten days or more.”

Asked whether there should be a recall petition if a politician changes parties or becomes independent, the MSP told the committee: “I think you’re getting into dangerous territory.”

He explained that if Sam Kurtz decided to join Plaid Cymru then lost a recall vote, under the Scottish proposal, the next person on the Conservative list would replace him.

He said the seat would remain vacant in the case of an MSP elected as an independent.

The standards committee also heard from Daniel Greenberg, Westminster’s standards commissioner, but the public and press were barred from the meeting.

Pembrokeshire group plans for larger community wind turbine

Published

9 mins ago

November 22, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A NORTH Pembrokeshire group which has raised more than £76,000 from its community wind turbine for local projects is hoping to expand with a bigger turbine.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Abergwaun Community Turbine Ltd, through agent Machynlleth-based Dulas Ltd is hoping to get permission for a larger turbine to replace the existing Abergwaun Community Turbine.

The proposed turbine, in a pasture field at Trebover Farm, to the south of Fishguard, would be 67m tall, the existing 2015 one being 45 metres.

In supporting statements, parent company Transition Bro Gwaun said: “The Community Climate Fund (CCF) is the mechanism by which Transition Bro Gwaun (TBG) is fulfilling our ambition of funding projects in Fishguard, Goodwick and across North Pembrokeshire, using income from the community wind turbine.

“The core themes for grants are climate change mitigation and adaptation, enhancement of biodiversity and improvements to community resilience through promotion of community engagement and resource sharing.”

In 2015, TBG raised its 50 per cent share of capital funding for the project by means of loans from 28 local individuals and four community groups, contributing a total of £286,500, the other 50 per cent contributed by landowners Parc-y-Morfa Farms Ltd.

The statement added: “Profit generated by sale of electricity from the turbine is split 50:50 between TBG and Parcy-Morfa Farms Ltd through the jointly owned trading arm, Abergwaun Community Turbine. By the end of 2022, all loans had been repaid, allowing the launch of TBG’s Community Climate Fund. This year we have awarded our third round of grants bringing the total amount granted to £76,036.”

In 2022, £15,274 was awarded to seven projects, including Fishguard Sports AFC to install solar panels on their clubhouse as part of their Tregroes Park development, Ysgol Bro Gwaun for their Increasing Biodiversity and Bees project, and Nevern Valley Veg / Llysiau Cwm Nyfer to install a solar powered vegetable irrigation scheme.

In 2023, £39,85 was made available for seven projects, including Sea Trust Wales to part fund the installation of solar panels on the Ocean Lab roof and to produce a display on solar technology, Letterston Memorial Hall to part fund the installation of an air source heat pump heating system, and Fishguard and Goodwick Rugby Club to install solar panels on their clubhouse.

2024 awards of £20,917 were made to six projects, including Theatr Gwaun to insulate their loft to reduce heating loss, Parc Cerrig Growers for developing a rainwater harvesting system with a pond to irrigate their allotments, Caerhys Organic Community Agriculture for an electric cargo bike for delivering organic vegetables in the Fishguard and St Davids areas, and Nevern Valley Veg to develop wildlife ponds and rainwater harvesting for food production.

The supporting documentation concludes: “The repowering of the existing turbine at Trebover would require a limited increase in turbine size which would result in a very limited change in landscape and visual effects in comparison to the existing Trebover turbine.”

The application will be considered by planners at a later date.

Business

Call to end ‘fad’ of ‘school dogs’ in Pembrokeshire

Published

6 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL to end the ‘fad’ of permanent ‘school dogs’ in Pembrokeshire for their benefit and the befit of the schools, instead using visiting ‘therapy dogs’ is to be heard next week.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Schools And Learning Overview And Scrutiny Committee meeting of November 28 will consider a public submission by Robert Thomas – who works with therapy dogs – on the subject of school dogs.

The submission reads: “My definition of a school dog is one that spends long periods in the school and is managed and owned by school employees not outside assessed and insured visiting therapy dogs who stay for an hour with a competent handler.

“The welfare of many dogs in schools in Pembrokeshire has been compromised over the last few years and we are concerned that the rise in the popularity of school-owned or teacher-owned dogs is an animal welfare issue.

“I can think of several school dogs in Pembrokeshire where it has gone wrong for the animal.”

He cites examples of ‘school dogs’ the county, where he says they have had to be removed, with the animals being unsettled, barking and even nipping on occasions, showing “a lack of understanding of animal welfare”.

His submission adds: “We have done some work with the Animal Welfare team at the Welsh Government around licensing this field, a consultation was completed in March 2023, currently awaiting the outcome.

“It has become a fad across the country and many dogs spend all day in schools supported by staff members who have another job to do. It feels like PCC does not have a policy overarching animal welfare policy in schools to protect dogs from being seen as staff members and there purely for human benefit, not the dogs.

“Dogs need to rest and sleep during the day and not in school. The visiting therapy dog model works best as the impact is greatest and the welfare of the dog is managed externally. If the dog is there all the time that can diminish the impact, and the novelty can wear off for the pupils.

“In my experience schools should concentrate on teaching and leave the therapy dog introduction to those that have the expertise in animal welfare.”

The submission will be considered by committee members at the November 28 meeting.

Charity

‘Grave concerns’ over national insurance hike

Published

18 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter

SENEDD Members expressed grave concerns about the impact of the UK Government’s national insurance tax hike on GPs, universities and charities in Wales.

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth warned the rise in employer national insurance contributions from 13.8% to 15% in April will have a disproportionate impact in Wales.

He told the Senedd: “Labour are quick to accuse others of fantasy economics whilst their own plans represent nightmare economics for thousands of employers and employees.”

Raising concerns about the impact on job creation and wages, he said employment levels are at their lowest for almost a decade – lower than anywhere else in the UK.

He accused Labour of breaking a manifesto pledge as he pointed to an Office for Budgetary Responsibility (OBR) assessment that three quarters of the cost will be passed to workers.

Leading a debate on November 20, Mr ap Iorwerth called on the UK Treasury to fully cover the added cost to public sector employers in Wales.

He said: “It’s not the private sector only … bearing the brunt. Charities, GPs, universities – sectors already feeling the squeeze, to say the very least – have been taken to the brink.”

He pointed to “eye-watering” bills of £90,000 for some GPs, with the British Medical Association warning some surgeries could close as a consequence.

Mr ap Iorwerth said mental health charity Plattform faces a £250,000 annual bill and Welsh universities, “already crippled by financial challenges”, will face significant further pressures.

Plaid Cymru’s motion urged Welsh ministers to press the UK Government to apply a wider definition of the public sector workforce to include universities, GPs and charities.

Peter Fox, the Conservatives’ shadow finance secretary, similarly accused Labour of breaking a manifesto commitment not to raise tax on working people.

The former council leader said: “Time and time again – the chancellor went on TV and made the claim, only to u-turn after they got into power.”

Mr Fox, who represents Monmouth, said even a 1% rise in employer national insurance contributions for the public sector would cost Welsh taxpayers an extra £100m.

He told the Senedd: “The UK Government has said that it will provide funding to cover the cost of national insurance contributions for those workers.

“However, this will still come out of the taxpayer’s pocket … ultimately it is the taxpayers who are going to pay for the Chancellor’s tax increase.”

Luke Fletcher, Plaid Cymru’s shadow economy secretary, warned the national insurance rise will be a drag on an “already anaemic” Welsh jobs market.

His colleague Sioned Williams, who also represents South Wales West, described the chancellor’s “back-of-a-fag-packet” plans as senseless.

She raised concerns about six-figure increases in tax bills for charities including Tenovus, Marie Curie, Citizens Advice Cymru and the Wastesavers Charitable Trust.

Cefin Campbell, Plaid’ Cymru’s shadow education secretary, said the national insurance increase will cost Welsh universities an estimated extra £20m a year.

The Mid and West Wales MS warned: “Without a shadow of a doubt, these additional costs could push our higher education institutions over the precipice.”

Labour’s Hefin David said difficult decisions had to be made to fill a £22bn “black hole” left by the Tories but he rejected Plaid Cymru claims of a return to austerity.

Dr David told the Senedd: “Yes, tough decisions have to be made but I think that in the longer term, this is to everyone’s benefit.”

Andrew RT Davies, leader of the Conservative opposition, disputed the “incorrect” £22bn figure, saying the OBR found a £9bn gap.

Replying to the debate, Mark Drakeford stressed that neither he nor the Welsh Government has responsibility for national insurance contributions.

Wales’ finance secretary, who was appointed in September, criticised “fantasy economics” from opposition members on the Plaid Cymru and Conservative benches.

Deriding the “politics of the playground”, he said: “Both of them are willing to spend money on almost anything; neither of them are willing to raise the money necessary from anyone.”

Prof Drakeford said the chancellor returned national insurance broadly to where it had been as a share of gross domestic product for 13 of the 14 Conservative years.

The former First Minister pointed out that the UK Government offset national insurance rises on small employers by more than doubling the employment allowance.

He told the debating chamber or Siambr: “If you want to pay for things, you have to find the money to do so. That is what the chancellor had to do. That is how we will get the money that will come to public services here in Wales.”

Senedd Members voted 25-19 against Plaid Cymru’s motion.