Written question WQ85758

The Partnership Council for Wales (the Partnership Council) was established by Section 72 of the Government of Wales Act 2006. There is a legal requirement for the Partnership Council to meet at least once a year. However, to gain maximum benefit from the engagement with Members on issues of strategic and shared importance in Wales, meetings of the Partnership Council are usually held three or four times a year.

To collate costs associated with all meetings of Partnership Council for Wales since its establishment would be a significant administrative burden, including the analysis of archived information.

However, I can confirm that costs for meetings of the Partnership Council have fallen into two categories, one for physical meetings and one for virtual meetings, as described below.

Costs associated with physical meetings of Partnership Council for Wales

Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, meetings of Partnership Council were held in person in Ty Hywel, Cardiff Bay.

Costs to Welsh Government:

Venue – Ty Hywel - no cost

Refreshments – an average of £69 per meeting

Simultaneous translation – most often provided by Welsh Government staff based in Ty Hywel. However, if an external translator was used, cost was £135.

The secretariat for Partnership Council is provided by the Local Government Directorate in the Welsh Government and costs are met from existing administrative budgets.

Costs to Member organisations:

Travel and subsistence costs associated with attending meetings in Cardiff.

Costs associated with virtual meetings of Partnership Council for Wales

Meetings of the Partnership Council for Wales have continued throughout the Covid-19 pandemic as it was an important forum for ongoing engagement related to the pandemic and to other shared public service priorities. All meetings were held virtually, so the only cost was simultaneous translation, as below.

Costs:

Simultaneous translation - £135

The secretariat for Partnership Council is provided by the Local Government Directorate in the Welsh Government and costs are met from existing administrative budgets.