, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Senedd Commission Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session
Yes. The Colwyn Bay office is something that's concerned Commissioners since I've been part of the Commission and the future, not necessarily of that particular office but of the Commission in north Wales, and it's felt by Commissioners that it's absolutely…
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Senedd Commission Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session
Sure. Chair, it basically amalgamates three major pieces of work that were already being undertaken. One was the agile futures programme. Second is the capacity review. And then, thirdly, the estate strategy to cover not just Tŷ Hywel, but all of the…
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Senedd Commission Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session
Yes, that's what I said. Unless they have an event there, yes.
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Senedd Commission Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session
Unless they rent a room there, I guess, for an event.
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Senedd Commission Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session
Shall I just say that, Mike, that is a consideration that was put to the Commission in June of this year? We're now seeking professional advice, not just on that, but on a number of core options for the future of the entire estate, but specifically, with…
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Senedd Commission Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session
Yes. I'll perhaps bring Nia or Manon in on this, but just to say that we do have a strategy for reducing our carbon footprint and energy costs, and it may be worth us, Chair, sharing with you the top-level priorities within that strategy.
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Senedd Commission Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session
Well, that happens, Mike. With a reduction in the cost of energy, that incurs revenue benefits, and that's reflected in the budget. I mentioned, just a few minutes ago, that we're striving to reduce the gas costs by 15 per cent this winter. That would result…
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Senedd Commission Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session
Shall I take this, Chair, just to outline some of the projects that are contained within engagement? So, obviously, outreach is one and in particular in light of Senedd reform. Also—and this is a major piece of work—future ways of working is a consideration…
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Senedd Commission Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session
Yes, absolutely, because that's in line with our strategic objectives to ensure that we use our resources in a sustainable way. I don't know whether you've had the identified projects for 2023-24 contained within the project fund; we can certainly provide you…
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Senedd Commission Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session
Well, that's exactly what we've been using the project fund for—we've been rolling out the installation of LED lights, for example, and I mentioned a little earlier that we have now installed a zonal heating system. That wasn't in place in previous years…
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Senedd Commission Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session
Yes, I believe that's the case, if Manon can confirm that, or Nia.
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Senedd Commission Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session
One other area of inflationary pressure for 2023-24 is catering, due to annual increases in pay and also increases in produce costs. Insofar as staff costs are concerned, we do have an agreement in terms of the pay increases, and that is based on a contract…
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Senedd Commission Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session
That's still a piece of work that is in train, Chair. We could perhaps get you a briefing once we've got a further understanding of the levels of benefit that we can incur from that particular scheme.
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Senedd Commission Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session
Yes. We are joining that particular initiative. It is an exciting initiative. That will lead to benefits in future financial years, but not necessarily in 2023-24.
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Senedd Commission Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session
I think that's a really important point. Everybody is going to be facing a tough winter, and it could take longer for utility costs to reduce, so that challenge may take us even further, into 2023 and beyond. But in terms of the heating and the ventilation…
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Senedd Commission Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session
Yes, indeed, Mike. I couldn't agree more, and that's why we're keen to hear your views and suggestions. Of course, those measures that are sometimes required to cut off the heating to rooms require project fund capital. And two financial years ago—it was…
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Senedd Commission Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session
Sorry. I should perhaps add as well that there's an opportunity for Members to contribute to ongoing considerations over how we can reduce the cost of energy. The executive board is going to consider on Friday various means and ways of pressing down those…
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Senedd Commission Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session
Could I interject?
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Senedd Commission Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session
Sure. I'll bring in Nia, perhaps, on this question. As I mentioned, we did model various scenarios based on increases that were less than that that we are presenting to Members. But also, as I said, that would have resulted in pretty significant impairment of…
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Senedd Commission Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session
Shall I begin, Chair? Thanks so much for the opportunity to be able to appear today and be scrutinised on the budget. As you can imagine, the process for setting the budget is very challenging, not least because there is an additional number of factors that…
, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Senedd Commission Draft Budget 2023-24: Evidence session
Bore da. I'm Ken Skates, Member of the Senedd, and I'm responsible in the Commission for finance.
, Plenary
Short Debate: Sport in North Wales: Ensuring opportunity for all
I’m also very grateful to Sam Rowlands for tabling this important motion today. I’m going to make four quick points that I’ll elaborate on in correspondence, Minister: first of all, that it’s essential that elite performance funding follows the athlete and…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Social Partnership and Public Procurement Bill: ministerial evidence session
Okay, thank you. Thanks, Chair. That's all from me.
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Social Partnership and Public Procurement Bill: ministerial evidence session
Okay, thanks. Just one more question from me, Chair, if I may. The British Medical Association Cymru has suggested that in sectors such as healthcare, where there's a large number of different trade unions, it could be difficult to secure agreement between…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Social Partnership and Public Procurement Bill: ministerial evidence session
Okay, thank you. Just moving on, then, you told committee that it would undermine the democratic process for the Welsh Government to have to consult with trade unions or the social partnership council on its well-being goals. Now, responding to evidence from…
