Welsh Parliament Senedd Commission (known as the National Assembly for Wales Commission until 5 May 2020) Annual Report and Accounts: 2019-20 June 2020 www.senedd.wales The Welsh Parliament is the democratically elected body that represents the interests of Wales and its people. Commonly known as the Senedd, it makes laws for Wales, agrees Welsh taxes and holds the Welsh Government to account. An electronic copy of this document can be found on the Senedd website: www.senedd.wales Copies of this document can also be obtained in accessible formats including Braille, large print, audio or hard copy from: Welsh Parliament Cardiff Bay CF99 1SN 0300 200 6565 [email protected] www.senedd.wales SeneddWales SeneddWales Senedd © Senedd Commission Copyright 2020 The text of this document may be reproduced free of charge in any format or medium providing that it is reproduced accurately and not used in a misleading or derogatory context. 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Welsh Parliament Senedd Commission (known as the National Assembly for Wales Commission until 5 May 2020) Annual Report and Accounts: 2019-20 June 2020 www.senedd.wales Annual Report and Accounts: 2019 – 2020 CONTENTS Overview 7 Foreword ............................................................................................................................................................8 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................10 Statement of Purpose .............................................................................................................................12 Commissioners .............................................................................................................................................14 Independent Advisers ............................................................................................................................ 16 Commission Senior Leadership ......................................................................................................20 Commission Management ................................................................................................................22 Risk Management .................................................................................................................................... 24 Performance Analysis 29 Provide outstanding parliamentary support ..........................................................................31 Engage with all the people of Wales and champion the Assembly .................... 53 Use resources wisely ........................................................................................................................... 67 Accountability 95 Corporate Governance ..........................................................................................................................96 Remuneration and Staff ......................................................................................................................121 Accountability and Audit .................................................................................................................. 136 Financial statements 147 Notes to the Accounts ..........................................................................................................................152 Annex - Regularity Reporting..........................................................................................................179 5 Annual Report and Accounts: 2019 – 2020 OVERVIEW Overview This Overview section provides information on the purpose, structure and strategic goals of the Commission and some key activities which have taken place over the past year Performance Analysis Performance Accountability Financial Statements 7 Annual Report and Accounts: 2019 – 2020 Foreword Overview Elin Jones MS Llywydd, Welsh Parliament I am pleased to present this Annual Report covering my fourth year as Llywydd. I began the year representing the National Assembly for Wales and end it as Llywydd for the Welsh Parliament – Senedd Performance Analysis Performance Cymru. But our name is less important This meant we have had to change than what it represents; our drive how we work. In the face of to scrutinise government and be a adversity, the Senedd led the way voice to the people of Wales. And in our innovation as we became during this period, that is more one of the first Parliaments in the important than ever. world to meet as a virtual Plenary. Legislatures from across the globe As I write this, Wales remains have subsequently turned to us for in lockdown. The Covid-19 advice. pandemic has meant we’re all Accountability facing unprecedented challenges. Our determination to continue to Hundreds of families have lost meet as a Parliament reflects our loved ones and we are all having to desire to hold Ministers to account re-adjust to social distancing. and reflect the views of the public. It is a subject which runs as a Financial Statements 8 Annual Report and Accounts: 2019 – 2020 Overview Performance Analysis Performance golden thread through the Annual Embedding a culture of dignity and Report; from committee inquiries respect within the organisation has to the development of our Youth continued with training sessions for Parliament. staff and Members as well as the “Call It Out” campaign to challenge The past year has also given us unacceptable behaviour. a chance to reflect. As we mark 20 years of the Senedd we asked I would like to thank all voters how they want to be Commission staff for continuing to involved in our work. Wales’s first so effectively support the delivery Citizens’ Assembly saw 60 people of Senedd business and for the independently chosen to reflect enthusiasm and energy they our nation come together for a bring to meeting new demands, Accountability weekend to discuss various options especially in these uniquely on a way forward. I am pleased challenging times. that some of those suggestions have already been enacted. Financial Statements 9 Annual Report and Accounts: 2019 – 2020 Introduction Overview Manon Antoniazzi Chief Executive and Clerk of the Senedd In my introduction to last year’s Annual Report, I concluded by remarking that I was confident the Commission’s staff had the commitment, skills and collective ambition to deliver all that was required of Performance Analysis Performance us. Events of the past few weeks Parliament and the people of have tested us, but the resolve, Wales. dedication and drive of officials in reacting to the challenges posed On 6 May we became the Welsh by the Covid-19 pandemic have Parliament; the Senedd. As the truly demonstrated our values in Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act action. 2020 received Royal Assent in January, it marked the culmination As the severity of the situation of a long and complicated unfolded, we were able to take process for the many Commission Accountability rapid steps to ensure the Assembly colleagues who were involved in its was able to continue to meet to passage. undertake the essential work of legislating, scrutinising the Welsh Despite our new title, you will Government and holding Ministers notice this document mostly refers to account. We will describe to the institution as the Assembly; a these measures fully in next year’s reflection of the fact we’re looking Annual Report. Meanwhile, I am back over the past 12 months pleased to present an account of before the change to our name. a year of sector-leading innovation underpinned by sound stewardship Throughout the year, Committees of resources in the service of our have been supported in producing Financial Statements 10 Annual Report and Accounts: 2019 – 2020 a series of important reports on organisation. After introducing Overview subjects of public interest: on beehives onto the estate last year behalf of train passengers they we have worked with RSPB and looked into rail disruption; for Bug Life to improve our pollinator the thousands who look after habitat which included building a loved ones they investigated to small pond. ensure unpaid carers are properly recognised; and for future pupils Year-on-year efforts to improve they highlighted concerns about our energy efficiency are also the teaching of Welsh history. bearing fruit. We have halved our energy footprint compared to our The 2019-20 financial year saw us 2012-2013 baseline year, therefore Analysis Performance celebrate the past and plan for the substantially surpassing the target future. We marked 20 years since for this metric already. the first Assembly Elections in 1999 with the Gwlad festival, which Our commitment to ensure people included events held all over Wales can work in the language of their during the summer. But, even as choice continued as we conducted we contemplated our past, much our first language skills survey. of the festival’s discussion focused Its aim was to ensure that teams on the way ahead. As such, it was across the organisation have the appropriate that our flourishing necessary language skills to deliver Youth Parliament Members exemplary bilingual services. played such a central role in the As I write this introduction, it’s programme. Accountability difficult to look too far beyond the We also addressed our own future current Covid-19 pandemic. Wales needs as we published our new has suffered its share of casualties, People Strategy. For the first and