Senedd hears civil servants ‘obstructed' public appointments inquiry
Mike Hedges likened the Senedd's public accounts committee inquiry to an episode of political satire sitcom Yes Minister, only 'without the humour but with the obfuscation'.
Mr Hedges, a Labour member of the committee, was critical of senior civil servants in the Welsh Government following the two-and-a-half year inquiry which found serious failings.
He said: 'We met with senior government civil servants who were at best unhelpful or – in my view and possibly that of other members of the committee – positively obstructive.'
During a debate on the committee's damning reports – which made 23 recommendations – Mr Hedges said he was annoyed and disappointed by the Welsh Government's response.
He said: 'I, like other members, consider the response disgraceful to an inquiry about public appointments, showing disrespect bordering on contempt – not just for those of us who are members of that committee but for the Senedd itself.'
He told the Senedd: 'Scrutiny means trying to make things better. It's very difficult to try and make things better when you're dealing with people who don't want to.'
Plaid Cymru's Peredur Owen Griffiths told the Senedd: 'At a time when public confidence in our institutions is lower than ever, often for valid reasons, it's vital that high standards are maintained in terms of public appointments.'
Warning of complacency, he said: 'The conclusions of the report are extremely critical…. Worse still, the government's weak responses to the committee's recommendations undermine any belief that it will learn any lessons… and this is part of a wider pattern.'
Mr Owen Griffiths expressed concerns about almost a quarter of appointees in Wales in 2020-21 having declared political activity, compared with less than 6% in Westminster.
He called for a dedicated public appointments system as in Scotland and Northern Ireland, where country-specific arrangements exist.
Jane Hutt responded to the June 25 debate for the Welsh Government: 'It is regrettable that historic delivery in this area has fallen short of expectation. That's why I've asked for and we are delivering a root-and-branch reform programme.'
The Labour minister pointed to data, which had not been interrogated by the committee, showing 'encouraging' progress on ensuring appointments are truly reflective of Wales.
'The direction is clear,' she said. 'We're taking action. We're listening. We are improving.'
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