Y Pwyllgor Cyfrifon Cyhoeddus / Public Accounts Committee PAC(5)-23-19 P1 Annual Report and Accounts: 2018-19 July 2019 www.assembly.wales The National Assembly for Wales is the democratically elected body that represents the interests of Wales and its people, 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 National Assembly website: www.assembly.wales Copies of this document can also be obtained in accessible formats including Braille, large print, audio or hard copy from: National Assembly for Wales Cardiff Bay CF99 1NA 0300 200 6565 [email protected] www.assembly.wales AssemblyWales NationalAssemblyForWales Senedd © National Assembly for Wales Commission Copyright 2019 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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Annual Report and Accounts: 2018-19 July 2019 www.assembly.wales Annual Report and Accounts: 2018 – 2019 CONTENTS Overview 7 Foreword ............................................................................................................................................................8 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................10 Statement of Purpose .............................................................................................................................12 Commissioners .............................................................................................................................................14 Independent Advisers ............................................................................................................................ 16 Assembly Commission Senior Leadership ..............................................................................20 Commission Management ................................................................................................................22 Risk .....................................................................................................................................................................23 Summary of key activity ....................................................................................................................... 24 Performance Analysis 27 Provide outstanding parliamentary support ........................................................................ 29 Engage with all the people of Wales and champion the Assembly .................... 43 Use resources wisely ........................................................................................................................... 57 Accountability 87 Corporate governance ...........................................................................................................................88 Remuneration and staff .....................................................................................................................110 Accountability and audit ................................................................................................................... 126 Financial statements 137 Notes to the Accounts ..........................................................................................................................142 Annex – regularity reporting ............................................................................................................ 169 5 Annual Report and Accounts: 2018 – 2019 OVERVIEW Overview This Overview provides information on the purpose, structure and strategic goals of the Assembly Commission and some key activities which have taken place over the past year. Performance Analysis Performance Accountability Financial Statements 7 Annual Report and Accounts: 2018 – 2019 Foreword Overview Elin Jones AM Llywydd, National Assembly for Wales I am pleased to present this annual report covering my third year as Llywydd of the National Assembly for Wales. As we pass the mid-point of the on Assembly Electoral Reform, Performance Analysis Performance Assembly term, I am proud of the the Senedd and Elections (Wales) leadership shown by the Assembly Bill has been introduced. This Bill in responding to the challenges of gives the Assembly the power to preparing to leave the European call itself Senedd, ensuring that Union. While we, as yet, are not the institution’s name reflects certain on what terms this will be, its constitutional status as a and recognising there are political parliament and helping to improve differences, the Assembly remains public understanding of the united in its desire to work in the legislature’s role and responsibilities. interests of Wales. The Bill also reduces the minimum Accountability I am pleased that, following on voting age to 16 for the 2021 from the work of the Expert Panel Assembly election which aligns Financial Statements 8 Annual Report and Accounts: 2018 – 2019 Overview Performance Analysis Performance with the Assembly Commission’s back on where we have come objective to empower and inspire from, what we have achieved and young people to participate in the to be excited about the future. I democratic process. In February, look forward to reporting on the I was honoured to chair the first programme of events to mark this Plenary session of the Welsh Youth milestone in Welsh democracy in Parliament. It was so inspiring next year’s Annual Report. to see all 60 of the Welsh Youth Parliament Members display I would like to thank all Assembly knowledge, confidence and Commission staff for continuing to passion for their country and the so effectively support the delivery wider world. of Assembly business and for the enthusiasm and energy they bring Accountability At the time of writing we are in to meeting new demands and the midst of celebrating twenty challenges. years since the establishment of the National Assembly for Wales and, as a member of the ‘Class of ’99’, it is a significant time to reflect Financial Statements 9 Annual Report and Accounts: 2018 – 2019 Introduction Introduction In my introduction to last year’s Annual Report, I concluded by remarking Overview that, as Commission staff, we were facing significant challenges in responding to the Assembly’s increasing workload. As I looked forward to this challenge, I pointed to my confidence in a committed, engaged and alues-drien workforce. Looking back now, I am proud that the strengths I recognised months ago Manon Antoniazzi hae enabled us to achiee all that was set before us and much more Chief Executive and Clerk, National Assembly for Wales besides. As Commission staff, we take pride in our work, feel passionate about our opportunities to make a difference and respect each other: alues In my introduction to last year’s Annual Report, I that hae guided us through a busy and eentful period. concluded by remarking that, as Commission staff, he year has seen some significant changes to our goernance and we were facing significant challenges in responding management arrangements. Whilst thanking our outgoing Independent to the Assembly’s increasing workload. Adisers warmly for their substantial contribution, we hae welcomed seeral new Adisers who hae brought different eperiences and fresh insight to Analysis Performance As I looked forward to this for their substantial contribution, bear in giing us assurance and challenge. We hae improed our senior challenge, I pointed to my we have welcomed several new management structures and refocussed responsibilities as we appointed a confidence in a committed, Advisers who have brought new irector of Assembly usiness and prepared to recruit a Director of engaged and values-driven different experiences and fresh ngagement. he work we hae done to increase the transparency of our workforce. insight to bear in giving us budget setting process has been well receied by both inance and ublic assurance and challenge. We have Accounts Committees whilst our reiew of corporate capacity has generated Looking back now, I am proud improved our senior management a number of incremental efficiency and effectieness improvements. that the strengths I recognised structures and refocussed 12 months ago have enabled us responsibilities as we appointed a Design and deliery of our outh arliament was a significant highlight of the to achieve all that was set before new Director of Assembly Business year and I echo the Llywydd’s tribute to those who made sure that our new us and much more besides. As and prepared to recruit a Director Welsh outh arliament members were supported and safeguarded whilst Accountability Commission staff, we take pride in of Engagement. The work we have finding their feet – and their oices. our work, feel passionate about our done to increase the transparency opportunities to make a difference Work on the Senedd and lections (Wales ill has also been a major feature of our budget setting process has and respect each other: values that of the year for many of us, reuiring a high degree of professionalism and been well received by both Finance have guided us through a busy and speciality, as separate teams proided policy adice and scrutiny support to and Public Accounts Committees eventful period. Members. It has also been a ery weighty year for committees, whose