Latest news with #SeneddCommission
Leader Live
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Leader Live
MS for Delyn reflects on Betsi Cadwaladr's annual report
MS for Delyn This week in the Senedd, I asked the Senedd Commission – the body that looks after the day-to-day running of our Welsh Parliament – what consideration has been given to improving the online accessibility and visibility of information about the work of the Senedd in order to support greater public engagement across Wales. It's vital that the people of Wales feel fully engaged in the work of the Senedd and in devolution itself, especially during times like these where misinformation is often circulating on social media – this issue was raised by a constituent who explained how hard it can be to find key info like how votes happen or how to get involved. With the seventh sitting of the Senedd on the horizon after the election in 2026, there's a real opportunity to make the website clearer, more accessible and more engaging for people across Wales. I'm pleased to hear that a review is under way, but I've asked for more detail on how this will be delivered in time for the next Senedd. Closer to home, it was a busy weekend starting with a colourful community celebration to mark the transformative redevelopment of Theatr Clwyd on Saturday morning. The carnival-inspired performance featured a number of the community groups and ensembles that make up our theatre community and was a fitting way to recognise the significance of Theatr Clwyd to our corner of the country. Like many in our area, I've grown up with the theatre on my doorstep, it was where I went as a child and what helped me on my journey to university. The £50m development includes £26.5m of funding from the Welsh Government, something which I am proud to have played a part in securing for our theatre for generations to come. The carnival atmosphere continued on Sunday, as it was time once again for the annual Mold Carnival. The wet weather definitely didn't dampen spirits and the parade wound its way through the town, led by the brilliant Cambria Band. There was then an afternoon of entertainment, stalls and activities at Kendrick's Fields and Maes Bodlonfa Park. The extravaganza is made possible thanks to an organising team of just eight people, then joined with an army of wonderful volunteers on the day itself – I want to take this opportunity to thank them for all their efforts and for enabling another excellent event. Last week Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) published its annual report and among the highlights in the report were how the board managed to reduce its overspend by £16.7m last year and that it is now the second best health board in Wales for the percentage of GP surgeries that achieved the National Access Standards for in-hours medical services – the report said that 99% of GPs met the required standard for high-quality care, timely access to services and fair access for all patients. While this is good news, it's clear that a lot more needs to be done for the health service here and it was also good to hear the Cabinet Secretary announce last week an investment of £9.49m in two new linear accelerators at the North Wales Cancer Treatment Centre at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd to replace ageing equipment – a real boost for radiotherapy treatment in North Wales. As June came to a close, I had the opportunity to attend the Welsh Labour Conference in Llandudno, a chance to not only catch up with the sort of issues people are talking about but also to really show off North Wales to people from across the country. While there, I was pleased to speak at the Women's Welcome Reception where I shared my personal journey to help support and encourage other women across our movement. I also took part in a World Wildlife Fund Cymru fringe event which shared the organisation's polling insights ahead of next year's Senedd elections – thank you, too, to all the individuals and organisations that took the time to talk, including the RSPCA, Macmillan Cancer Support, Alzheimer's Society, Breast Cancer Now and Marie Curie Cymru. Diolch am eich amser! Finally, the Women's Euros kicked off last week as Cymru took on the Netherlands on Saturday. It's a tough group Wales Women have found themselves in – every other team in the group have won the tournament before – but I know we will all be behind our Welsh women as they make history playing in their first ever major tournament. As always, if you would like advice and/or support, please don't hesitate to get in touch on any of the following contact details – 52 High Street, Mold, Flintshire, on 01352 753464 or by email You can also keep up to date via my Facebook page – Constituents are, of course, welcome to contact my office to arrange an appointment to see me, you don't need to wait for an advice surgery.
Business News Wales
15-05-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Andrew Gibson appointed Regional Managing Director for Cardiff at Avison Young UK
Andrew Gibson appointed Regional Managing Director for Cardiff at Avison Young UK Leading real estate advisory firm Avison Young has announced the appointment of Andrew Gibson as Regional Managing Director for Cardiff. Andrew joined the firm in August 2021, bringing with him over 15 years of experience in the commercial property sector. Since then, he has led the Development & Capital Markets Agency business in Wales, playing a pivotal role in advising on some of the region's most significant regeneration and investment projects. Andrew began his career in valuation advisory in 2005 before moving into commercial agency in 2007, specialising in Development and Capital Markets. He has since built a reputation for delivering strategic, commercially focused advice to both private and public sector clients across South Wales. He is currently advising major organisations including AVIVA, Premier Inn, and the Senedd Commission. In his role as Commercial Director on the Senedd Commission's Bay32 project, he is supporting the procurement strategy for a new c.160,000 sq ft office requirement. In recent years, Andrew has acted for Cardiff Council, Arasam Ltd, Charterhouse Group, and Cowell Group, completing a number of high-profile acquisitions across the region. He also led on three of the five largest Cardiff city centre office deals in the last two years, Wharton Place, Park House and Churchill House. Stephen Cowperthwaite, Principal & Managing Director, UK Regions at Avison Young UK, said: 'Andrew's appointment underlines our commitment to the regions. His breadth of experience and deep local market knowledge make him a perfect fit for this leadership role. 'His ability to work across the full spectrum of development and capital markets, from large-scale regeneration schemes to targeted investment acquisitions, brings enormous value to our clients and our business.' Andrew Gibson, Regional Managing Director, Cardiff at Avison Young UK, said: 'I am delighted to take on the role of Regional Managing Director for Avison Young's Cardiff office. Cardiff is a dynamic and growing city, and I'm excited to lead such a talented team as we continue to deliver strategic, client-focused real estate solutions. 'Having operated within the commercial property market within Cardiff for over 20 years, I look forward to building on our strong local presence, continuing to drive sustainable growth, and contributing meaningfully to the success of our clients and the communities we serve across Wales.' As Regional Managing Director, Andrew will continue to lead and grow the firm's presence in Wales, with a particular focus on strengthening client relationships and driving strategic growth in Cardiff and beyond.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Conservatives rejected sexual harassment training
The Conservatives were the only Senedd party group to refuse an offer of training on sexism and sexual harassment. A spokesperson for the Tory Senedd leader at the time, Andrew RT Davies, has said it was "left to the discretion of the individual" to take up training opportunities. A spokesperson for current leader Darren Millar said the party "takes the issue of gender-based violence extremely seriously" and a session for group members is now "being scheduled". Undertaking the training was a recommendation from the Senedd's cross-party equality committee. The women killed by men in Wales since 2020 Family court pilot to support abuse victims expanded UK's first violence against men strategy launches Last year the Senedd's Equality and Social Justice Committee published a report entitled "How we must all play our part: a public health approach to halting the epidemic in gender-based violence". One of its recommendations called for Members of the Senedd to commit to undertaking training on preventing gender-based violence (GBV) by the end of 2024. The Senedd Commission - which runs the institution from day to day - agreed to arrange the training by an outside organisation in autumn 2024, covering in particular three areas highlighted by the committee. These were: increased awareness and understanding of what constitutes GBV; improved bystander intervention skills which equip individuals with the skills to identify signs of potential GBV situations and intervene safely and effectively; and cultural competence: understanding the complexities of addressing GBV within diverse cultural contexts. The course developed by Bristol-based company Kindling Intervention on behalf of the Senedd Commission was "developed and tailored specifically to focus on noticing and intervening in sexism, gender stereotyping, gendered microaggressions, sexual harassment and other forms of gender-based violence against women and girls". "Due to the participants being at senior leadership level, the training will also be further developed specifically to focus on leadership, privilege and power." Senedd chief executive Manon Antoniazzi told equality committee chair Jenny Rathbone in a letter that the Welsh Parliament's member learning and engagement team "have extensive experience of working with party groups to provide training for members and recognise that there is a distinct preference for training within those groups on topics of particular sensitivity, such as this". "Timetabling training for members also proves to be a challenge and so party group buy-in is sought to ensure optimum member attendance to the training on offer." However, she adds, "having approached all party groups, two party groups took up the opportunity to take up this training in the autumn term of 2024". "The third party group were unfortunately unable to afford the time/capacity to dedicate to this topic." Twenty two members from the Labour and Plaid Cymru groups took up the training offer, representing 37% of all members. A Welsh Conservative Senedd spokesperson told the BBC, "The Welsh Conservative Senedd group takes the issue of gender-based violence extremely seriously". "We undertake regular training and continuing professional development sessions on a range of issues, and a session for group members on gender-based violence is being scheduled." A spokesperson for former leader Andrew RT Davies said: "Members and staff are offered a range of training courses." "Under Andrew's leadership, it was left to the discretion of the individual whether or not they chose to take up those training opportunities." Equality committee chair, Labour MS Jenny Rathbone, said at the time of the report's publication that "two women a week are killed by a former or current partner in England and Wales". "A third of women will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime. "Due to under-reporting, it is likely that official figures underestimate the true scale of this shocking problem. "Each victim of this epidemic is a victim too many. "To end it, we must all play our part – especially men and boys – by tackling the root causes."
BBC News
06-02-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Welsh Conservatives rejected sexual harassment training
The Conservatives were the only Senedd party group to refuse an offer of training on sexism and sexual harassment.A spokesperson for the Tory Senedd leader at the time, Andrew RT Davies, has said it was "left to the discretion of the individual" to take up training opportunities.A spokesperson for current leader Darren Millar said the party "takes the issue of gender-based violence extremely seriously" and a session for group members is now "being scheduled".Undertaking the training was a recommendation from the Senedd's cross-party equality committee. Last year the Senedd's Equality and Social Justice Committee published a report entitled "How we must all play our part: a public health approach to halting the epidemic in gender-based violence".One of its recommendations called for Members of the Senedd to commit to undertaking training on preventing gender-based violence (GBV) by the end of Senedd Commission - which runs the institution from day to day - agreed to arrange the training by an outside organisation in autumn 2024, covering in particular three areas highlighted by the committee. These were:increased awareness and understanding of what constitutes GBV;improved bystander intervention skills which equip individuals with the skills to identify signs of potential GBV situations and intervene safely and effectively; andcultural competence: understanding the complexities of addressing GBV within diverse cultural course developed by Bristol-based company Kindling Intervention on behalf of the Senedd Commission was "developed and tailored specifically to focus on noticing and intervening in sexism, gender stereotyping, gendered microaggressions, sexual harassment and other forms of gender-based violence against women and girls"."Due to the participants being at senior leadership level, the training will also be further developed specifically to focus on leadership, privilege and power." Senedd chief executive Manon Antoniazzi told equality committee chair Jenny Rathbone in a letter that the Welsh Parliament's member learning and engagement team "have extensive experience of working with party groups to provide training for members and recognise that there is a distinct preference for training within those groups on topics of particular sensitivity, such as this". "Timetabling training for members also proves to be a challenge and so party group buy-in is sought to ensure optimum member attendance to the training on offer."However, she adds, "having approached all party groups, two party groups took up the opportunity to take up this training in the autumn term of 2024". "The third party group were unfortunately unable to afford the time/capacity to dedicate to this topic."Twenty two members from the Labour and Plaid Cymru groups took up the training offer, representing 37% of all members. 'Extremely seriously' A Welsh Conservative Senedd spokesperson told the BBC, "The Welsh Conservative Senedd group takes the issue of gender-based violence extremely seriously". "We undertake regular training and continuing professional development sessions on a range of issues, and a session for group members on gender-based violence is being scheduled."A spokesperson for former leader Andrew RT Davies said: "Members and staff are offered a range of training courses." "Under Andrew's leadership, it was left to the discretion of the individual whether or not they chose to take up those training opportunities." 'Shocking problem' Equality committee chair, Labour MS Jenny Rathbone, said at the time of the report's publication that "two women a week are killed by a former or current partner in England and Wales". "A third of women will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime. "Due to under-reporting, it is likely that official figures underestimate the true scale of this shocking problem."Each victim of this epidemic is a victim too many. "To end it, we must all play our part – especially men and boys – by tackling the root causes."
