Four Commissioners elected for the new enhanced law-making Assembly

25 May 2011

The National Assembly for Wales has appointed four new Assembly Commissioners from each of the four political parties.

They will meet for the first time later this month and will be responsible for setting the strategic goals and direction of the Assembly Commission over the next five years.

The role has taken on increased significance with the ‘yes’ vote in March’s referendum delivering enhanced law-making powers to the National Assembly for Wales.

“This is a new Assembly, with more new Members than ever before, and increased law-making capabilities,” said Presiding Officer, Rosemary Butler AM.

“The task for Assembly Commissioners will therefore be even more significant over the next five years.

“We have a job to do in ensuring that all Members are armed with the right facilities and support, make laws under these new powers and hold the Welsh Government to account.”

The four Commissioners are Sandy Mewies AM from Welsh Labour, Angela Burns AM from the Welsh Conservatives, Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM from Plaid Cymru and Welsh Liberal Democrat Peter Black AM.

The Commission is led by the Presiding Officer, Rosemary Butler AM, and because, unlike the Assembly itself, the Commission has a permanent, continuous existence, it is able to plan for the long-term development of the Assembly as an institution. Its main roles are to:

• acquire, hold or dispose of any property on behalf of the Assembly;

• make arrangements to pay Members and provide their pensions and allowances and to employ Assembly staff; and

• act in an appropriate and necessary way to provide the services required for the Assembly to do its work.

The Assembly Commission has further responsibilities to promote public awareness of the devolved government in Wales as well as the current and future electoral system.