Assembly at heart of civic engagement having considered more than 200 petitions
29 March 2011
The National Assembly for Wales’s petitions system has been hailed a success, according to a report looking back on its first four years in action.
The Assembly is one of just two UK legislatures (the other being Scotland) to have a petitions system and, since launching in 2007, its Petitions Committee has considered 215 petitions on topics ranging from public toilets to pit ponies.
The cross-party committee has also held 64 public meetings and taken oral evidence from 38 petitioners.
The system was set up to enable members of the public who feel strongly about an issue to gather support and submit a petition to the Assembly, in person or online.
And it has had some demonstrable success stories such as Ysgol Hen Felin in Ystrad, which submitted a petition against funding cuts to its after-school clubs for disabled people.
Following the petition, the Welsh Government announced further funding for activities for people with disabilities.
Similarly, the decision to close the National Library for Wales on Saturdays was reversed following a petition submitted by members of the public which raised awareness of the issue.
Committee Chair, Christine Chapman AM, said: “As the Assembly term draws to a close, it’s important to reflect on the Petitions Committee’s first four years in operation.
“Since 2008 we’ve seen more than 200 petitions submitted from all corners of Wales, all of which have started at grass roots level by members of the public wanting to affect change.
“These petitions have ranged from wind turbines to railway stations, to equality and schools. It’s so important for people to have a direct point of entry for civic engagement and the petitions system has been incredibly successful at facilitating this.
“Although submitting a petition will not automatically lead to the aims being met, it is an effective way of drawing attention to an issue and the Committee is proud to have been part of a system which enables the public to directly influence and shape the Assembly’s business.
“It’s been a learning process, but we have been keen to continually develop and improve our ways of working to make the process as effective and accessible as possible.”