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Adran y Prif Weithredwr
Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr
Swyddfeydd Dinesig
Stryd yr Angel
PEN-Y-BONT AR OGWR
CF31 1LX

Ffôn: 01656 643643
Ffacs: 01656 643215

Chief Executive's Directorate
Bridgend County Borough Council
Civic Offices
Angel Street
BRIDGEND
CF31 1LX

Telephone: 01656 643643
Fax: 01656 643215

Direct line/Deialu Uniongyrchol: (01656)

Ask for/Gofynnwch am:

Date/Dyddiad: 10th October 2003

Our Ref/Ein cyf: IKL/DAL/BLT

Your ref/Eich cyf:

Richard Commission
Caradog House
1-6 Saint Andrews Place
Cardiff
CF10 3BE

Dear Sir/Madam

Electoral Arrangements of the National Assembly for Wales

I write in response to the consultation paper on the Electoral Arrangements for the National Assembly of Wales. I am aware that responses were needed by June 2003, however after much consultation, the views of the Assembly are as follows:-

Size of the Assembly

1. Is the current size of the Assembly (ie 60 Members) adequate to undertake its responsibilities in meeting the needs of Wales?

The number of Assembly members is too large, particularly by the way of Regional Assembly Members.

2. What evidence is there that the current duties are not being fulfilled adequately and what scope exists to recognise working arrangements to improve effectiveness without creating more members?

Clear overlap with Elected Member responsibility and accountabilities in Local Government.

3. If reorganisation would not achieve the necessary improvements, what number of Members would be required for the existing responsibilities to be discharged effectively?

For the existing responsibilities to be discharged effectively the Assembly would require 30 members.

4. What are the advantages, other than cost of a relatively small Assembly, which might be lost if the numbers were increased?

The advantages would be more effective working.

Electoral System

1. What is your experience of the operation of the present electoral system - what are its advantages and disadvantages and what changes would you like to see?

i. The removal of Regional Assembly Member Representation. It is unacceptable that a candidate can lose on a Constituency Assembly Member ballot and still become elected as an Assembly Member on the Regional List.

ii. Clearer compatibility found in the Electoral process between Constituency/Regional Ballot Papers.

2. Should more be done through the electoral system to influence the characteristics of the candidates put forward by the political parties and if so what measures would you recommend?

As is developing in Local Government, clear competencies should be set out for standards in candidature for Assembly Membership.

Yours faithfully

for I Keri Lewis
Returning Officer

The Chairman has accepted this item as urgent under rule 4 of the Council Procedure Rules
Bridgend County Borough Council Cabinet Meeting
24th September 2003
Addendum Report of the Chief Executive Officer
Electoral Arrangements of the National Assembly for Wales
The Leader has accepted this item as urgent in order to progress consultation on the electoral arrangements of the National Assembly.
1.0 Introduction
At the last meeting of the Electoral Working Group held on the 16th September 2003 it was agreed to put the following Consultation Paper to Cabinet for consideration.
2.0 Background
The Electoral Commission is currently preparing and publishing a report by the end of 2003, which will contribute on the future of the National Assembly and the way Wales is governed. Due to the political nature of these questions the Commission have asked for written statements from organisations and individuals on the size and functions of the National Assembly.
3.0 Content
The questions which are to be answered in regard to the size of the National Assembly - with no change in functions - are as follows:
a. Is the current size of the Assembly (ie 60 Members) adequate to undertake its responsibilities in meeting the needs of Wales?
b. What evidence is there that the current duties are not being fulfilled adequately and what scope exists to recognise working arrangements to improve effectiveness without creating more Members?
c. If reorganisation would not achieve the necessary improvements, what number of Members would be required for the existing responsibilities to be discharged effectively?
d. What are the advantages, other than cost, of a relatively small Assembly which might be lost if numbers were increased?
As to the present Assembly's Electoral system, questions are as follows:
a. What is your experience of the operation of the present electoral system - what are its advantages and disadvantages and what changes would you like to see?
b. Should more be done through the electoral system to influence the characteristics of the candidates put forward by the political parties and if so what measures would you recommend?
The consultation paper with full context is attached for your information (see Appendix).
4.0 Conclusion
Under the current legislation it is very complex to adminster the National Assembly for Wales Elections as both the public and candidates do not fully understand the electoral procedures in respect of the issue of the constituency and regional ballot papers, which results in a high number of spoilt votes being cast. It would be fairer to base the Assembly on a Constituency Boundary Ward basis rather than Parliamentary.
5.0 Recommendation
Cabinet Instructions are requested

I Keri Lewis Chief Executive Officer 23rd September 2003