Training: Understanding and influencing Senedd Committees

Events TrainingEvent Date: Nov 11th, 2021 Time: 09.15 - 13.00

Join us for this unique session which looks at how organisations can engage effectively with Welsh Parliament committees.

What’s it about?

The Senedd’s business has a big impact on people and organisations and many charities, public bodies and businesses try to shape its activities and agenda. This session will provide essential information and insights into one of the most important aspects of its business – committees.

Why you should attend

This unique half-day training session will give you vital knowledge of how the Senedd’s Committees operate. You’ll gain much more than can be gleened from the Senedd website, including understanding the importance of the committees, know about their remits and get insights into when and how best to influence their business. The session will include essential tips and hints, and give behind the scenes insights.

With the latest Senedd Committees getting into full swing, this is a very timely session for everyone interested in influencing.

Draft agenda

1. Welcome and introductions

2. Why Senedd Committees are important
Steffan Evans, Bevan Foundation

3. How committees operate
Rhys Morgan, Clerk to the Equality and Social Justice Committee, Senedd

4. Influencing and engaging with Committees
Gareth Thomas, Senior Research Officer, Senedd

5. How was it for you – people who have recently given evidence share their experiences
Sarah Stone, Executive Director, Samaritans and Richard Williams, CEO Community Foundation in Wales

6. Q&A with Mike Hedges MS
Mike Hedges is an experienced Senedd Member and currently sits on the Health and Social Care Committee, Finance Committee and Public Accounts Committee

Please see below for speaker biographies

Practicalities

The training will be delivered via Zoom between 9.15 am and 12.45 pm. There will be time for questions and discussion with experts as well as short breaks away from the screen. The number of places is limited to ensure that you have an opportunity to contribute.

The delegate fee is a highly-competitive £99 per person for Bevan Foundation subscribers (£149 for others). Please note that booking fees are payable in addition to the delegate fee.

The Presenters:

Steffan Evans

Steffan is Head of Policy at the Bevan Foundation and has extensive experience submitting written and oral evidence to Committees. As a result of our responses to the Equality and Social Justice Committee, it is now holding an inquiry into debt.

Mike Hedges MS

Mike is Senedd Member for Swansea East, and has extensive experience of sitting on Senedd Committees. He currently sits on the Health and Social Care Committee, Finance Committee and Public Accounts Committee.

Rhys Morgan

Rhys is Clerk to Welsh Parliament's Equality and Social Justice Committee

Gareth Thomas

Gareth Thomas is Senior Research Officer at the Welsh Parliament.

Sarah Stone

Sarah is Executive Director for Wales of the Samaritans and was formerly deputy commissioner for older people. She most recently gave evidence to the Health, Social Care and Sports Committee and is also active in the Cross Party Group on Suicide Prevention.

Richard Williams

Richard is Chief Executive of the Community Foundation in Wales. He has given evidence to several Senedd Committees, most recently to the Equalities, Local Government and Communities Committee. He is also a Trustee of the Bevan Foundation.