Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee

Good afternoon, everybody. I would like to welcome Members to the first meeting of the Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee of the seventh Senedd. Public items of the meeting are being broadcast live on Senedd.tv and a Record of Proceedings will be published as usual. This meeting is bilingual and simultaneous interpretation from Welsh to English and English to Welsh is available. There have been no apologies received. Can I ask Members if they have any declarations of relevant or registrable interests to today's meeting? None, thank you.

Before we formally begin today's business, I would like to say a few words. I would like to thank the Senedd for electing me as Chair of this committee. It is an honour to take on this responsibility, and I look forward to working with Members from across the Senedd in the years ahead. This committee performs a unique and important role. The people of Wales rightly expect public money to be spent effectively, public services to be delivered efficiently, and public bodies to be open and accountable for the decisions they make. Our role is to ask the necessary questions, follow the evidence wherever it leads, and ensure that lessons are learned when things go wrong.

Members will have heard the Llywydd's address to the Senedd on 17 June, where he set out the importance of respect, integrity and constructive engagement in our work. I fully support that, and I intend that those principles are reflected in how this committee operates. We will not always agree with one another, nor should we; different perspectives and robust challenge are a strength of effective scrutiny. But I hope we can all approach our work with a shared commitment to evidence, accountability and the public interest.

As Chair, I will seek to ensure that every Member has the opportunity to contribute, that witnesses are treated fairly and respectfully, and that our proceedings remain focused on the task in front of us. This committee should be known for being focused, disciplined and serious in its scrutiny. We have an important job ahead of us at the start of this new Senedd term. If we do this properly, we can play a real role in strengthening accountability and improving how public services are delivered. I look forward to working with all the Members and our committee staff as we begin our work. Thank you.