Areithiau a chwestiynau

9 Tachwedd 2023, Reform Bill Committee

Bil Senedd Cymru (Aelodau ac Etholiadau): Sesiwn dystiolaeth ar brofiad yr Alban o ddiwygio etholiadol a diwygio ffiniau

Obviously, you're a stand-alone body; you're not a body within the boundary commission in Scotland—

9 Tachwedd 2023, Reform Bill Committee

Bil Senedd Cymru (Aelodau ac Etholiadau): Sesiwn dystiolaeth ar brofiad yr Alban o ddiwygio etholiadol a diwygio ffiniau

[Inaudible.]—in this proposal of making sure that we have things on a statutory basis, rather than the sort of more informal basis at the moment. Can I just ask as well about the relationship of the Electoral Commission and the electoral management board?…

9 Tachwedd 2023, Reform Bill Committee

Bil Senedd Cymru (Aelodau ac Etholiadau): Sesiwn dystiolaeth ar brofiad yr Alban o ddiwygio etholiadol a diwygio ffiniau

And it's definitely strengthened the ability to undertake elections with efficiency and make sure that best practice is adhered to, et cetera.

9 Tachwedd 2023, Reform Bill Committee

Bil Senedd Cymru (Aelodau ac Etholiadau): Sesiwn dystiolaeth ar brofiad yr Alban o ddiwygio etholiadol a diwygio ffiniau

Pretty much.

9 Tachwedd 2023, Reform Bill Committee

Bil Senedd Cymru (Aelodau ac Etholiadau): Sesiwn dystiolaeth ar brofiad yr Alban o ddiwygio etholiadol a diwygio ffiniau

So, presumably, the chair of the board effectively undertakes that role.

9 Tachwedd 2023, Reform Bill Committee

Bil Senedd Cymru (Aelodau ac Etholiadau): Sesiwn dystiolaeth ar brofiad yr Alban o ddiwygio etholiadol a diwygio ffiniau

And I notice that, in your evidence, you refer to the fact that there is no chief returning officer in Scotland. Is that right?

9 Tachwedd 2023, Reform Bill Committee

Bil Senedd Cymru (Aelodau ac Etholiadau): Sesiwn dystiolaeth ar brofiad yr Alban o ddiwygio etholiadol a diwygio ffiniau

And in terms of the electoral management board's role, have there been any changes in the role since it was established?

9 Tachwedd 2023, Reform Bill Committee

Bil Senedd Cymru (Aelodau ac Etholiadau): Sesiwn dystiolaeth ar brofiad yr Alban o ddiwygio etholiadol a diwygio ffiniau

And can I just ask, in terms of the relationship between you and the boundary commission—obviously, there is engagement, I would assume—is there frequent engagement? Is it structured engagement? Is it set out in legislation?

9 Tachwedd 2023, Reform Bill Committee

Bil Senedd Cymru (Aelodau ac Etholiadau): Sesiwn dystiolaeth ar brofiad yr Alban o ddiwygio etholiadol a diwygio ffiniau

Presumably, they could haul you in and go through in detail your accounts, if they ever wanted to, in the way that any committee could do.

9 Tachwedd 2023, Reform Bill Committee

Bil Senedd Cymru (Aelodau ac Etholiadau): Sesiwn dystiolaeth ar brofiad yr Alban o ddiwygio etholiadol a diwygio ffiniau

Can I ask you some similar questions, Malcolm Burr, in relation to the electoral management board, and how that has a relationship, and who it is accountable to? Is it accountable to the Parliament or the Government?

9 Tachwedd 2023, Reform Bill Committee

Bil Senedd Cymru (Aelodau ac Etholiadau): Sesiwn dystiolaeth ar brofiad yr Alban o ddiwygio etholiadol a diwygio ffiniau

I suppose, ultimately, the Scottish Government's budget is confirmed by the Parliament, isn't it?

9 Tachwedd 2023, Reform Bill Committee

Bil Senedd Cymru (Aelodau ac Etholiadau): Sesiwn dystiolaeth ar brofiad yr Alban o ddiwygio etholiadol a diwygio ffiniau

Not the Parliament.

9 Tachwedd 2023, Reform Bill Committee

Bil Senedd Cymru (Aelodau ac Etholiadau): Sesiwn dystiolaeth ar brofiad yr Alban o ddiwygio etholiadol a diwygio ffiniau

And who sets your budget—the Government?

9 Tachwedd 2023, Reform Bill Committee

Bil Senedd Cymru (Aelodau ac Etholiadau): Sesiwn dystiolaeth ar brofiad yr Alban o ddiwygio etholiadol a diwygio ffiniau

That's not the Parliament.

9 Tachwedd 2023, Reform Bill Committee

Bil Senedd Cymru (Aelodau ac Etholiadau): Sesiwn dystiolaeth ar brofiad yr Alban o ddiwygio etholiadol a diwygio ffiniau

And that's with the Government, is it?

9 Tachwedd 2023, Reform Bill Committee

Bil Senedd Cymru (Aelodau ac Etholiadau): Sesiwn dystiolaeth ar brofiad yr Alban o ddiwygio etholiadol a diwygio ffiniau

And how about how you report to the Scottish Parliament on your activities and work? You produce an annual report, it's laid before the Parliament, annual accounts, and you can be called before committees et cetera. That's how it works.

9 Tachwedd 2023, Reform Bill Committee

Bil Senedd Cymru (Aelodau ac Etholiadau): Sesiwn dystiolaeth ar brofiad yr Alban o ddiwygio etholiadol a diwygio ffiniau

So, are you happy with the arrangements in this Bill for the way that Ministers must, effectively, respect and implement and deliver the outcome of the reviews without that sort of interference that you've suggested has been happening in Scotland?

9 Tachwedd 2023, Reform Bill Committee

Bil Senedd Cymru (Aelodau ac Etholiadau): Sesiwn dystiolaeth ar brofiad yr Alban o ddiwygio etholiadol a diwygio ffiniau

Too long. So, four years and renewable seems to work well, certainly for you guys in Scotland. And what about the relationship between—. You said—they were my words, I know—that you were leant on often by the political parties, trying to interfere…

9 Tachwedd 2023, Reform Bill Committee

Bil Senedd Cymru (Aelodau ac Etholiadau): Sesiwn dystiolaeth ar brofiad yr Alban o ddiwygio etholiadol a diwygio ffiniau

I suppose there's always a risk as well that you'll lose all of the experience around the table if everybody is appointed on day 1, and sort of—

9 Tachwedd 2023, Reform Bill Committee

Bil Senedd Cymru (Aelodau ac Etholiadau): Sesiwn dystiolaeth ar brofiad yr Alban o ddiwygio etholiadol a diwygio ffiniau

So, an eight-year term would seem to be a reasonable approach as far as this new body is concerned.

9 Tachwedd 2023, Reform Bill Committee

Bil Senedd Cymru (Aelodau ac Etholiadau): Sesiwn dystiolaeth ar brofiad yr Alban o ddiwygio etholiadol a diwygio ffiniau

And how about the length of term of office, and the churn, if you like, in terms of the appointments? Do you have any views on how that should be managed? Should it be a fixed term and then you finish, and never be allowed to sit on the commission again, or…

9 Tachwedd 2023, Reform Bill Committee

Bil Senedd Cymru (Aelodau ac Etholiadau): Sesiwn dystiolaeth ar brofiad yr Alban o ddiwygio etholiadol a diwygio ffiniau

Okay. From outside, 'leaning on', as it were.

9 Tachwedd 2023, Reform Bill Committee

Bil Senedd Cymru (Aelodau ac Etholiadau): Sesiwn dystiolaeth ar brofiad yr Alban o ddiwygio etholiadol a diwygio ffiniau

Yes, I understand. And what about any perception of political interference in the way that you work? So, for example, at the moment the Bill includes provisions to make sure that no Members of the Senedd can ever be members of the commission, quite rightly…

9 Tachwedd 2023, Reform Bill Committee

Bil Senedd Cymru (Aelodau ac Etholiadau): Sesiwn dystiolaeth ar brofiad yr Alban o ddiwygio etholiadol a diwygio ffiniau

And can I ask you as well—

9 Tachwedd 2023, Reform Bill Committee

Bil Senedd Cymru (Aelodau ac Etholiadau): Sesiwn dystiolaeth ar brofiad yr Alban o ddiwygio etholiadol a diwygio ffiniau

But you're managing with fewer.