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Assembly Procedures

on Tuesday, 30 July 2013. Posted in Menu Items

National Assembly for Wales and the Welsh Government

The National Assembly for Wales and the Welsh Government are two distinct organisations.

The National Assembly is the democratically elected body that represents the people of Wales, makes laws and regulations and holds the Welsh Government to account through its debates and questions to ministers. The sixty Assembly Members are elected every four years and meet in the Senedd building in Cardiff Bay.

The Welsh Government comprises those AMs who are elected by the Assembly as ministers and who form a Cabinet under the leadership of the First Minister. The Cabinet controls the Welsh Civil Service.

The Assembly decides on its priorities and allocates the funds made available to it from
the Treasury. Within its powers, the Assembly develops policy and approves legislation which reflect the needs of the people of Wales.

Wales remains part of the UK and the Secretary of State for Wales and Members of Parliament (MPs) from Welsh constituencies continue to have seats in the Westminster Parliament. Laws passed by Parliament still apply to Wales.

Following a referendum on the National Assembly for Wales’s legislative powers held on 03 March 2011, the people of Wales voted in favour of granting the National Assembly for
Wales further powers for making laws in Wales.

The powers & responsibilities of the Assembly

The Assembly has considerable power to develop and implement policy within a range of areas including:
agriculture, ancient monuments and historic buildings, culture, economic development,
education and training, the environment, Fire and rescue services, Food, health and health services, Highways and transport, housing, local government, Public administration, Social welfare, Sport and recreation, tourism, town and country planning, Water and flood defence and the Welsh language.

How the Assembly works

The essential structures and procedures for the Assembly are laid down in the Government of Wales Act 1998. The more detailed processes are set out in the Assembly Standing Orders.

The Presiding Officer

The Assembly is chaired by the Presiding Officer, who is the equivalent of the Speaker of the House of Commons and who is elected by the whole Assembly. Once elected, the Presiding Officer serves the Assembly impartially. There is also a Deputy Presiding Officer who is elected in the same way.

The role of Committees

Subject Committees

Assembly Members from all parties can voice their opinions on how the Assembly operates through Subject Committees, such as Children and Young People Committee, and Health and Social Care Committee. These Subject Committees develop policies and examine what the Assembly does. Assembly Members are elected to serve on these committees. The committee membership reflects the balance of political groups within the Assembly.

Business Committees

The Business Committee is responsible for the organisation of Assembly Business. It is the only Committee whose functions and remit is set out in Standing Orders. Its role is to “facilitate the effective organisation of Assembly proceedings”.
The Presiding Officer chairs the meetings, which are attended by the Leader of the House and a Business Manager from each of the parties represented in the Assembly. The Committee usually meets weekly when the Assembly is in session, to comment on proposals for the organisation of Government business and to determine the organisation of Assembly business in Plenary session.
The Committee may meet publicly on an ad hoc basis, to make recommendations on the general practice and procedure of the Assembly in the conduct of its business, including any proposals for the re-making or revisions of Standing Orders. These meetings are subject to the normal procedures for public meetings and members of the public are welcome to sit in the public gallery to observe them.

Plenary Meetings

Plenary meetings are attended by all Assembly Members and provide one of the key mechanisms for Members to hold the Welsh Government and Assembly Commission to account, make laws for Wales and represent their constituents. Plenary meetings take place in the Siambr, the Assembly’s debating chamber on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in public and are broadcast. The topics discussed in Plenary meetings are organised by the Business Committee and announced on a weekly basis in Plenary. A Plenary Agenda is published for every meeting. Different categories and types of business can be taken in Plenary. These include questions, debates, statements and legislative proceedings.

Questions to government Ministers or Assembly Commissioners may be answered orally or in writing. Ministers from each government department attend Plenary on a rota basis to answer oral questions. The First Minister answers questions every Tuesday. The Presiding Officer or Deputy Presiding Officer, Assembly Commissioners or other AMs with particular responsibilities (e.g. AMs proposing legislation) may also make oral statements.

Legislative Competence Orders

Legislative Competence Orders (LCOs) grant the National Assembly for Wales greater law-making powers.

LCOs are a new category of legislation, brought about by the Government of Wales Act 2006. They are a type of Order in Council which enables the National Assembly for Wales to acquire the power from the UK Parliament to legislate in a particular area for Wales. Where the National Assembly has legislative competence it can pass Assembly Measures which can do anything that an Act of Parliament can do in relation to Wales.

The LCOs that have been made and are in force are published to the National Assembly website.

The Referendum

Following a referendum on the National Assembly for Wales’s legislative powers held on 03 March 2011, the people of Wales voted in favour of granting the National Assembly for Wales further powers for making laws in Wales.

The National Assembly for Wales will now be able to pass laws on all subjects in the 20 devolved areas without first needing the agreement of the UK Parliament. The result of the referendum does not mean that the Assembly can make laws in more areas than before.

There will no longer be a need for negotiation between the governments of the UK and Wales over what law-making powers should or should not be devolved to the Assembly. The ‘yes’ vote also removes the involvement of Members of the House of Commons and House of Lords in scrutinising proposals to give the Assembly the power to make laws. Instead, the responsibility rests on the Welsh Government and the Members of the National Assembly to decide how to use the Assembly’s law-making powers.

Assembly laws will no longer be called Assembly Measures. Proposed laws will now be called Bills, and enacted laws will be called Acts. The Measures made since 2007 will continue to be called Assembly Measures and will continue to have the same legal effect. What will change is that it will not be possible to make any more Measures and new laws made by the Assembly will be called Acts. Legislative Competence Orders will no longer be necessary, as these were requests to the UK Parliament to allow the Assembly to make laws in new subjects within the 20 devolved areas.

The Welsh Government

The Welsh Government is the executive branch of the devolved government in Wales. It is accountable to the National Assembly for Wales and makes laws for Wales.

Welsh laws are officially known as Assembly Bills. They apply only to Wales and not to other parts of the UK.

The Welsh Government and the National Assembly for Wales were established as separate institutions under the Government of Wales Act 2006. The Government is referred to in that Act as the Welsh Assembly Government, but to prevent confusion about the  respective roles & responsibilities of the National Assembly and the Government, the devolved administration became known as the Welsh Government in May 2011.

The Welsh Government consists of the First Minister, usually the leader of the largest party in the National Assembly for Wales; up to twelve ministers and deputy ministers, appointed by the First Minister; and a Counsel General, nominated by the First Minister and approved by the National Assembly.

Welsh Government is elected by the people of Wales to carry out a programme of government. This involves making decisions and ensuring delivery on areas devolved to us on matters that affect people’s daily lives.

The Assembly is able to pass Assembly Bills, following from a yes vote in the referendum on the law making powers of the National Assembly for Wales.This is done by developing and implementing policies, setting up and directing delivery and governance in these key areas, such as local government and the NHS in Wales, making subordinate legislation (e.g. regulations and statutory guidance), and proposing Welsh laws (Assembly Bills).

The Welsh Government and the UK Government both look after different interests in Wales. The Welsh government is responsible for most of the day-to-day issues, for example health, education, agriculture and local government. The UK Government is still responsible for certain public services in Wales, for example, police, prisons and the justice system. Matters such as tax and benefits, defence, national security and foreign affairs are also dealt with by the UK Government.

The Welsh Government may also seek to extend the subjects on which the National Assembly for Wales can pass Assembly Bills. Different types of legislation put forward by the Welsh Government are subject to different procedures which may require scrutiny and approval by the National Assembly for Wales. These areas include education, health, local government, transport, Planning, economic development, social services, culture, Welsh language environment, agriculture and rural affairs.

You can contact the Welsh Government at the following address:

Welsh Government
Cathays Park
Cardiff CF10 3NQ
English: 0300 060 3300 or 0845 010 3300
Welsh: 0300 0604 400 or 0845 010 4400
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.wales.gov.uk

You can write to Ministers at:

Minister for…………
Welsh Government
5th Floor Tŷ Hywel
Cardiff Bay CF99 1NA
Cardiff

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Who handles complaints?

Complaints about the Health Service

Complaints about the Health Service

Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Local Health Board and each of its Trusts and GP Practices have a procedure for dealing with complaints. New Regulations aimed at streamlining the handling of concerns about the Welsh NHS come into force on 1 April
2011. Under the new Putting Things Right arrangements, the NHS in Wales will aim to
“investigate once, investigate well”, ensuring that concerns are dealt with in the right way, the first time round.

Anyone who has a complaint about NHS services is asked to contact the Complaints Officer at the Practice or Trust and that person will be happy to investigate the circumstances
of the complaint and try to resolve it fairly and amicably with you. This is known as Local
Resolution.

If you remain dissatisfied after this, then you can ask the Complaints Officer to refer your
complaint for an Independent Review (Stage II). This will be carefully considered by a Convenor, although there is no automatic right to have such a Review.

More details are available in the booklet “Complaints…Listening…Acting…Improving”
which you can obtain from the Practice/Trust.

If your grievance continues beyond this stage, then you can ask the Public Services
Ombudsman to investigate.

His address is:

Public Services Ombudsman For Wales
1 Ffordd yr Hen Gae
Pencoed CF35 5LJ
Tel: 01656 641 150 0845 601 0987
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web: www.ombudsman-wales.org.uk

If you prefer, you can ask the Local Health Board to do so.
If you need help with conveying your concern, contact the ABM University Health Board or the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board Community Health Council (CHC). Your local CHC provides a free and independent advocacy service, which is able to help patients or the people acting for them to raise a concern.

The CHC will offer advice and support, including putting you in touch with specialist advocacy services if you need them.

ABM Community Health Council
Water Street Business Centre
Water Street
Aberavon
Port Talbot SA12 6LF
Tel: 01639 892271

Board of Welsh Community Health Councils
Tel: 029 2023 5558
Web: www.communityhealthcouncils.org.uk

You can contact the concerns team at Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board

Tel: 01639 683363/683316
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan Community Health Council
Cathy Moss, Advocate
Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan Advocacy Team
Third Floor Park House
Greyfriars Road
Cardiff CF10 3AF
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web: www.wales.nhs.uk

Writing a letter to:
Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board
Mr Paul Roberts, Chief Executive
1 Talbot Gateway
Baglan Energy Park
Port Talbot SA12 7BR

More information on what to do if you are concerned over the quality of healthcare your relative is offered can be found here.

Complaints about Voluntary Organisations

Complaints about Voluntary Organisations

Most complaints regarding a charity should be addressed to the trustees and dealt with
by them under the charity’s own internal complaints procedures. However, there are
a limited number of circumstances where a complaint would fall under the Charities Commission’s jurisdiction, and when it does, they will only take it forward where they are provided with evidence that there is a serious risk to the charity, its beneficiaries or assets. If, someone believes that their complaint is one that falls within their criteria, they should complete the online form (not contact a particular individual within the Commission).

An organisation is a charity in law if it has wholly charitable objects and operates for the public benefit. The Commission registers charities with an annual income over £5000. The Commission does not therefore confer charitable status (an organisation either is a charity or isn’t) and so cannot take it away. If an organisation is a charity, it remains a charity forever and it is the trustees’ responsibility to run it accordingly and in line with charity law.

For further information contact:

Charity Commission
Wales Office
8th Floor Clarence House
Clarence Place
Newport NP19 7AA
Tel: 01663 225505
Contact centre: 0870 333 0123
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web: www.charity-commission.gov.uk

Consumer Focus Wales

Consumer Focus Wales

Consumer Focus is the new statutory organisation campaigning for a fair deal for consumers in England, Wales, Scotland, and, for postal services, Northern Ireland.

Consumer Focus was created through the merger of three consumer organisations; energywatch, Postwatch and the National Consumer Council (including the Welsh and Scottish Consumer Councils). The new approach allows for more joined-up consumer advocacy, with a single organisation speaking with a powerful voice and able to more readily bring cross-sector expertise to issues of concern.

Consumer Focus has strong new legislative powers. These include the right to investigate
any consumer complaint if they are of wider interest, the right to open up information from
providers, the power to conduct research and the ability to make an official super-complaint about failing services. Consumer Focus is resourced to use these powers and campaign on the issues that matter most to consumers.

For further information contact:

Consumer Focus Wales
Portcullis House
21 Cowbridge Road East
Cardiff CF11 9SR
Tel: 029 2078 7100
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web: www.consumerfocus.org.uk

Hospital admissions- making sure staff know your child and how to complain!

Hospital admissions- making sure staff know your child and how to complain!

Too many people with a learning disability enjoy second rate healthcare and services- in the past many have been let down by the system and the 1000 lives project was established to help avoid any more unnecessary suffering. Health professionals and families have developed better ways of working that all agencies are now expected to adhere to. These aim to ensure that staff and others have a better understanding of an individuals' needs. likes and dislikes and are better equipped to support their recovery.

The Welsh Government have supported NHS trusts across Wales to develop the 1000 Lives  guide that aims to  improve general hospital care of patients who have a learning disability

Amongst the many practical tips within the guidance is the 'Traffic Light' approach. This is a snapshot of simple information that gives a clear picture of what is important to a person. Apart from essential information on health issues and medication the documentation allows you to inform any care provider things that are unique and important to your relative, this can include routines, things that cause distress or anxiety and the best ways to communicate and care for an individual.

  • Things you should know
  • Things You Must Know
  • Things that matter to me

Raising a concern about Health Services

Putting Things Right

The NHS in Wales aims to provide the very best care and treatment and it is important that we welcome comments and learn from people’s experiences, good or bad. The vast majority of people are happy with the service they receive.
 
Sometimes though, things might not go as well as expected. When that happens, we need to look at what went wrong so we can try to make it better. 
This information applies to you if:
  • You are not happy with care or treatment provided by or for the NHS in Wales
  • Or If you have any other concerns you think we should know about.

It tells you about the arrangements that will be in place from 1 April 2011 for looking into concerns.

 

What is a concern?

A concern is when you feel unhappy about any service provided by the NHS. By telling us about your concern, we can apologise to you, investigate and try to put things right. We will also learn lessons and improve services where they need to be better.

There are some things that we cannot deal with under the arrangements, such as:

  • Private healthcare or treatment (including private dental treatment)
  • A complaint which was made and investigated under the arrangements that were in place before 1 April 2011.

  

Who should I talk to about my concern?

If you feel able to do so, the best place to start is by talking to the staff who were involved with your care and treatment. They can try to sort out your concern immediately. If this doesn’t help or if you do not want to speak to staff who provided the service, then you can contact a member of the concerns team. 

For concerns about health services, you will need to contact your Local Health Board or the relevant NHS Trust.

If you have a concern about services that you have received from your General Practitioner (GP), Dentist, Pharmacist or Optician you should normally ask the practice to look into it for you, but if you prefer, you can ask your Local Health Board to do so.

You can contact the concerns team by:

  • Phoning
  • Emailing
  • Writing a letter
  • Faxing
  • Texting

If you need help to tell us about your concern, please let us know, or contact your local Community Health Council (CHC). Your local CHC provides a free and independent advocacy service, which is able to help patients or the people acting for them to raise a concern. The CHC will offer advice and support, including putting you in touch 
with specialist advocacy services if you need them. Your local CHC can be found below:

  

Who can raise a concern?

If this is something that has happened to you, you can raise the concern yourself. If you prefer, a carer, friend, relative or your local CHC can represent you, but you will be asked to agree to this.

How soon should I tell someone about my concern?

It is best to talk to someone about your concern as soon as possible after the problem happened but you can take up to 12 months to let us know. If a longer time has passed but there are good reasons for the delay, tell us anyway, as we may still be able to deal with your concern.

  

What happens next?

We will:

  • Let you know that we have received your concern within 2 working days (weekends and bank holidays not included);
  • At the same time, ask you if you have any particular needs that we should be aware of in dealing with your concern
  • Also ask you how much you want to be involved and get your consent to accessing your health records, if this is needed
  • Investigate your concern
  • As part of the investigation, decide with you whether we need to get specialist advice (such as a clinical opinion) or other independent help with sorting out your concern
  • Let you know what we have found and what we are going to do about it
  • In most cases, let you have a final reply within 30 working days of the date when we first received your concern (weekends and bank holidays not included). If we can’t reply to you in that time, we will give you the reasons why and let you know when you can expect a reply.

Some cases might need further investigation under the Redress arrangements. Redress is a range of actions that can be taken to resolve a concern where the organisation might have been at fault in causing some harm. It can include a written apology and explanation of what happened, an offer of treatment/rehabilitation to help relieve the problem and/or financial compensation. If Redress may apply to your concern, we will let you know what this means in more detail.

  

What you should do if you are still unhappy

If your concern has been looked at by us and you are still not happy with our response, you can contact the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales.

  • Public Services Ombudsman for Wales
  • This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman

Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman considers complaints from the
public against government departments, a range of public bodies in the UK, and the NHS in England, that have not acted properly or fairly, or have provided a poor service.

The Ombudsman regularly looks at complaints about benefits (Department of Work and
Pensions) and hospital treatment (NHS).

The Ombudsman usually only take on a complaint after the organisation, practice or trust involved has had a chance to respond so that they have an opportunity to put things right. However, if you are still unhappy you can bring your complaint to the Ombudsman. If the
complaint concerns a government organisation, it will need to be referred to the Ombudsman by an MP.

To find out who your local MP is,

visit www.findyourmp.parliament.uk
or contact the
House of Commons Information office on 020 7219 4272.

Complaints about the NHS do not have to be referred by an MP.

You can find a copy of the complaint form on the Ombudsman’s website, or you can request one via their enquiry line. The details for these are listed below.

When a complaint is received, a written acknowledgement of this will be sent within two working days. A reference number will also be issued which should be quoted in all future contact. The Ombudsman will keep you regularly informed of the progress they are making in considering your complaint.

For further information contact:

Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
Millbank Tower
Millbank
London SW1P 4QP.
Tel: 0345 015 4033
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web: www.ombudsman.org.uk

Public Service Ombudsman for Wales

Public Service Ombudsman for Wales

If you are still dissatisfied you can contact the Public Service Ombudsman for Wales:

The Public Services Ombudsman for Wales
1 Ffordd Yr Hen Gae
Pencoed CF35 5LJ
Tel: 01656 641199
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web: www.ombudsman-wales.org.uk

 

Help with Complaints in your Area

Who deals with complaints in your local authority

  

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