WIREDGOV

First Minister of Wales Rhodri Morgan said the net would be cast far and wide to ensure committee members truly represented every aspect of Welsh life.

During a joint press conference with Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones and Chairman of the Convention Sir Emyr Jones Parry, the First Minister said this was an important step forward for the Convention.

He also announced the setting up of the All Wales Convention website – www.allwalesconvention.org – which will keep the public up-to-date with its work.

He said:

Setting up the All Wales Convention to prepare the way for a referendum on full law-making powers is number one in our One Wales commitments for this Assembly term.

I am determined that members of the Executive Committee reflect all aspects of modern Wales; that they come from all backgrounds and all parts of Wales to ensure that everyone’s voice is heard during this important national debate.

The Deputy First Minister said:

Getting the right people onto the Executive Committee is extremely important. We want it to be balanced and reflect Wales in the 21st Century.

We are looking for applications from people in all walks of life – anyone who has an interest in guiding the direction of the Convention and playing a part in moving Wales forward.

Sir Emyr said:

I’m looking forward to welcoming and working with committee members from all parts of Wales. I am confident that we will find members with a wide range of talents and experience, who will be able to work together to set the direction of the Convention’s work.

They will have the opportunity to be part of an exciting process, from stimulating the debate across Wales, to analysing what we hear from the Welsh public, and using their judgment to ensure that the report we deliver at the end of the day covers all aspects of our remit.

The Convention website, launched today, will undoubtedly be a key tool for communicating with people throughout Wales. But this is only one of the tools we will use to communicate. I want the Convention to use a wide variety of different methods to communicate and engage directly with people across the country.

The Executive Committee will have up to 16 members, plus the Chairman. Members will be recruited in three ways.

• Four members will be appointed by inviting the four main political parties in Wales to each nominate a representative. These will be non-elected party members.
• Eight members will be appointed through nominations from key Welsh organisations. The organisations invited to nominate members are the Wales TUC; Confederation of British Industry; Welsh Local Government Association; Wales Council for Voluntary Action; Funky Dragon; Faith Communities Forum; Young Farmers Clubs and Llais Merched.
• Up to four members of the public will be appointed through an open competition process.

The First Minister said:

We realise we cannot invite every stakeholder with an interest in the Assembly and Assembly Government to nominate someone to sit on the Executive Committee.

But the Convention as a whole will encourage participation from all stakeholders and indeed the entire Welsh public. We would urge all stakeholders who have not been invited to nominate to encourage their members to play a full role by contributing their views to the Convention.

Members of the public who want to serve on the Convention should request an application pack by either visiting www.allwalesconvention.org, emailing publicappointments@wales.gsi.gov.uk or telephoning 029 2082 6330.

Related Information

http://new.wales.gov.uk/about/strategy/1wales/?lang=en

http://new.wales.gov.uk/about/strategy/allwalesconvention/?lang=en