Submission to the Richard Commission by Gareth Jones AM, CHAIR of Education and Lifelong Learning Committee

The Committee helps to develop policy and scrutinises its implementation in areas within the Minister’s portfolio. This portfolio and the associated statutory powers are set out in the written summary of the Minister’s oral evidence to the Commission on 24 October 2002.

As Chair, I endorse that part of the Minister’s evidence containing examples of policy aspirations where either the breadth or depth of the Assembly’s powers has been a constraint. In particular, I consider that existing powers are unhelpful in the following areas:

• Performance Management Procedures for School Teachers

The Committee would like the Minister to have the power to specify the criteria to be met in Wales for teachers to cross the ‘threshold’ for performance pay.

• Financial Support for Students (Assembly Learning Grant Scheme)

The Committee would like the Minister to have the power to establish a scheme to pay grants to students in further and higher education, without having to rely on the goodwill of local education authorities.

• Strategic Planning in the Further and Higher Education Sectors

The Committee would like to see the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) take a more proactive role in strategic planning. The Committee would also like National Council – ELWa and HEFCW to work together more effectively in the planning and funding of all post-16 education and training, including higher education. This would require primary legislation.

Further Evidence

Further to my appearance before the Commission last week, I wish to expand my contribution in three areas.

My first point concerns higher education. I was asked whether the committee wanted the Assembly Minister or the Funding Council (HEFCW) to have statutory powers to compel HE institutions to merge. I refer you to chapter nine of the committee's policy review, in particular paragraph 9.63 and the first recommendation at the end of this chapter. The committee felt that HEFCW should take a more proactive role in encouraging collaboration between HE institutions. Whilst acknowledging that such collaboration might result in some mergers in due course, it was never intended that these should be imposed by statute.

My second point concerns the support provided by the committee secretariat. My committee, as with other subject committees, is supported by a secretariat of three (clerk, deputy clerk and administrative assistant). They work very hard in arranging the business of the committee, making notes of meetings, providing briefing to help me carry out my role effectively and also to assist other committee members. The clerk also drafts the committee's policy review reports. I welcome the additional research support, following the Assembly Review of Procedure, which will become available in the New Year. Any increase in statutory powers granted to Assembly would result in an increase in the workload of subject committees. I wish to make the point that, in this eventuality, the staffing of the committee secretariat should be increased to help the committee carry out the additional work. This would not simply mean an increase in numbers but would require staff with relevant expertise to reflect the nature of the task; for example, effective scrutiny of primary and secondary legislation and project management of policy reviews.

My final point concerns the Assembly's three cross-cutting themes of equal opportunities, sustainable development and social inclusion. My committee has incorporated each of these into its work programme. For example, earlier this year we had a very interesting meeting to discuss the educational aspects of sustainable development at the Centre for Alternative Technology at Machynlleth. I feel it is important that all subject committees should take account of these important issues when planning their work programmes.

Thank you for giving me an opportunity to present my views.

Gareth Jones AM
Chair