National Assembly to debate new Standing Orders

The National Assembly is set to debate the new set of Standing Orders that will regulate its work from May.   The new Standing Orders have been prepared by a cross-party committee of AMs to coincide with the new powers that the Assembly will acquire under the Government of Wales Act following elections in May. They will be debated by the full Assembly in plenary on Wednesday February 7. Chair of the Committee, Jenny Randerson AM, said: “The proposals coming forward have been designed to enable the Assembly to deal effectively and flexibly with the exciting challenges that lie ahead. “We have developed the open and accessible and transparent way the Assembly currently does its business, and our proposals include a Finance Committee, designed to introduce more openness and rigour to the scrutiny of the budget and new procedures for the Assembly to draw up its own laws. “Amongst new innovations we are proposing are an enhanced system of public petitions to enable the public to have a greater say in matters that affect them. “The Committee has worked hard to reach consensus on these proposals and with the Assembly’s endorsement, I hope that the Secretary of State will accept them as the settled will of the Assembly.”   Notes to Editors The Government of Wales Act 2006 places a duty on the Secretary of State to make standing orders which are to govern the proceedings of the Assembly after the elections in May.   The Act provides that the Secretary of State must give effect to any proposals made by the Assembly (which have been approved by two thirds of the Assembly members voting on them) but may make modifications, as  specified in the Act. Further information  about the work of the Committee on Standing Orders is available.