National Assembly For Wales

Paul Davies AMWelsh Conservative Assembly Member for

Preseli Pembrokeshire

Deputy Leader of the Conservative Group and Shadow Minister for Finance

Personal History• I was born in 1969 and grew up in Pontsian just outside Llandysul in the

county of Ceredigion. • I attended Tregroes Primary School and Llandysul Grammar School and

after obtaining A levels at Newcastle Emlyn Comprehensive School, I joined Lloyds Bank in 1987.

• I was employed by Lloyds TSB, as it was known, as a business manager based in Haverfordwest helping to develop small businesses.

• I live with my wife, Julie in Blaenffos, North Pembrokeshire.• My main interests outside politics are rugby, reading and visiting historical

attractions.

Preseli Pembrokeshire• The Preseli Pembrokeshire constituency was created in 1999, on the same

boundaries as the current Parliamentary constituency.• It takes in two thirds of the county of Pembrokeshire and has an electorate of 56,827.• The main towns in the constituency are the ancient county town of Haverfordwest, the

ports of Milford Haven and Fishguard and Britain’s smallest city, St Davids. In addition to these there are also a large number of rural villages like Crymych and the holiday areas of Newport, Solva and Broad Haven.

• Britain’s only truly coastal national park – Pembrokeshire Coast National Park – is one of the main tourist attractions in the area and the population soars during the summer months with visitors from around the world.

• The main industries in the area are tourism and farming. • During August, Pembrokeshire is home to the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Show, the

second largest of its type in Wales. • Milford Haven, one of the world's largest natural harbours, is now the UK's main

energy centre with the two Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) importation terminals.• The main employers in the area are Hywel Dda Local Health Board and

Pembrokeshire County Council.

(Photo: www.visitpembrokeshire.com)

National Assembly for WalesKey Dates

1997 – Referendum on set up of the National Assembly for Wales

1998 – Government of Wales Act 19998

1999 – First Assembly elections

2006 – Government of Wales Act 2006

2007 – Third Assembly Elections

2011 – Referendum on law making powers

2011 – Fourth Assembly Elections

The National Assembly for Wales• The Assembly consists of 60 members from four parties:

Welsh Conservatives, Welsh Labour, Plaid Cymru and Welsh Liberal Democrats.

• 40 members are elected as ‘first-past-the-post’ constituency AMs, and a further 20 AMs are elected as ‘top-up’ regional members representing the five regions of Wales: North Wales, Mid and West Wales, South Wales Central, South Wales West and South Wales East.

• Elections take place every four years.

• Next Assembly Election 2016

National Assembly Elections 2011

• Since the elections of May 5th, 2011 the current standing of the parties is:– Labour: 30; Conservative:

14; Plaid Cymru 11 Lib Dem: 5;

• After the election Labour decided to form a minority Welsh Government.

The Welsh Assembly

• The National Assembly is responsible for a wide variety of devolved issues:– Agriculture, fisheries, forestry and rural development– Culture, Sport and the Welsh Language– Economic development– Education and training– Environment and Food – Fire and rescue services, water and flood defence– Health services– Housing and Planning– Tourism– Transport and Highways – Local Government, Social Welfare and Public Administration

Cabinet• The Executive Branch of the National Assembly is the Welsh Government,

headed by the Cabinet: First Minister for Wales – Carwyn Jones

Minister for Education and Skills – Huw Lewis

Minister for Culture and Sport– John Griffiths

Minister for Finance – Jane Hutt

Minister for Housing and Regeneration – Carl Sargeant

M Minister for Local Government and Government Business – Lesley Griffiths

Minister for Economy, Science and Transport – Edwina Hart

Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty – Jeff Cuthbert

Minister for Natural Resources and Food – Alun Davies

Minister for Health and Social Services – Mark Drakeford

Counsel General – Theodore Huckle

National Assembly for WalesYour Members in Your Area

In your area –•Hold surgeries in their regions and constituencies•Give the people of Wales a chance to raise issues•Work directly on behalf of their constituents•Meet with groups and community organisations

At the Senedd –•Welcome constituents at the Senedd•Statements of Opinion•Cross Party Groups•Sit on Committees•Attend Plenary Sessions•Propose Legislation•Vote

A week in the life of an Assembly Member

• Monday– I spend in my constituency, often meeting with local organisations– Late in the evening I travel down to Cardiff Bay – more often by train

• Tuesday– At 11.30am I go to the Conservative Group Meeting, to discuss the business of the week– At 1.30pm I attend the sitting of Assembly, and take part in First Minister’s Questions, and other

debates– In the evenings I go to functions and events in the Senedd

• Wednesday– From 9.00am I sit on the Finance Committee– At 1.30pm I again go to the Assembly sitting, where I put questions to and debate with Ministers

and other AMs– In the evenings I go to functions and events in the Senedd

• Thursday– I deal with constituency cases in my office in Cardiff, before travelling back to Pembrokeshire in the

evening, sometimes possibly to attend meetings• Friday and Weekends

– I attend events and hold further meetings with different groups and individuals in the constituency• Surgeries are usually held Friday, Saturday or Monday approximately every 2 weeks Doorstep Surgeries are held every month

Assembly Committees• Committees in the Assembly carry out many functions, including scrutinising

the policies of the Welsh Assembly Government, holding Ministers to account, and examining proposed legislation.

• Committees consist of Members from all political parties based on the political makeup of the Assembly. They meet on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Children and Young People Committee Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee Enterprise and Business Committee Environment and Sustainability Committee Finance Committee Health and Social Care Committee Petitions Committee Public Accounts Committee Standards of Conduct Committee

Three Easy Steps

•Submit your proposal

2. Collect signatures

3. Present your petition

www.assemblywales.org/e-petitions

National Assembly for WalesPetitioning the National Assembly for WalesThree Easy Steps

1. Submit your proposal

2. Collect signatures

3. Present your petition

www.assemblywales.org/ e-petitions

National Assembly for WalesMaking laws for Wales

Bills can be introduced by –

— Welsh Government Ministers

— an individual Member, if their name is drawn from a ballot

— Assembly Committees, if within the remit of the Committee

— Assembly Commission, if within the remit of the Commission

National Assembly for WalesMaking laws for Wales

A Bill must be formally ‘introduced’ to the Assembly. There is generally a four-stage process for the consideration of a Bill involving:

Stage 1 – consideration of the general principles of the Bill by a committee, and the agreement of those general principles by the Assembly ;

Stage 2 – detailed consideration by a committee of the Bill and any amendments tabled to that Bill ;

Stage 3 – detailed consideration, by the Assembly, of the Bill and any amendments tabled to that bill;

Stage 4 – a vote by the Assembly to pass the final text of the Bill.

There is an optional, additional amending stage, called the Report stage, which can take place between stages 3 and 4, if proposed by the Member in Charge and agreed by the Assembly.

If passed by the Assembly at stage 4, a Bill must receive Royal Ascent from the monarch before formally becoming a piece of law.

The Official Opposition

• I am currently one of 14 Conservative Assembly members, led by Leader of the Opposition Andrew R T Davies AM.

• The Conservatives are the Official Opposition, and it is our job to hold the Labour Government to account.

Shadow Minister• After being re-elected in May 2011, I was appointed Interim

Leader of the Welsh Conservative Group after Nick Bourne lost his seat.

• In July 2011 Andrew R T Davies was elected as our leader and he appointed me as his deputy and Shadow Minister for Finance.

• My job is to support Andrew and to ‘shadow’ Jane Hutt and scrutinise all matters relating to this hugely important area.

• All issues relating to budgets, spending and money fall within my remit.

• It is my aim to work constructively with the Minister, so as to benefit all the people of Wales, yet never forgetting my responsibility to hold the Labour Government to account.

Other Responsibilities

• In addition to my role as Shadow Minister l am also deputy leader.

• I deputise for Andrew and attend events on behalf of the group.

• I am also a member of the Finance Committee.

NHS• Fight to keep our health services local

- Withybush Hospital• Improve NHS Dental care/Orthodontic

Services in Pembrokeshire and across Wales

• Continue to oppose the downgrading and centralisation of critical NHS services

Rural Affairs• More transparency in the food

processing industry to ensure realistic prices for farmers.

• Tackling bovine TB and TB in Wildlife. • Working with businesses and the

farming community by taking opportunities to finish products nearer the farm gate.

Education• Involve pupils and parents in decision

making.

• Give more powers to Head Teachers, teachers, parents and governors.

• Schools are an integral part of the community as well as deliverers of education.

• A more robust consultation process during school re-organisations.

Economy• The right infrastructure – dualling of the

A40 and improve train/bus services.• Promote Pembrokeshire as a place for

modern businesses by reducing the burdens on them .

• Protect existing local jobs.• Continue to develop tourism in our

county.

Housing

• Affordable housing for first time buyers

• The need for flexible planning rules

• Invest in home-to-buy schemes

• A strong economy

• Use local covenants more effectively

Any Questions?

Contact me

Welsh Assembly Address:

Paul Davies AM,

National Assembly for Wales,

Cardiff Bay,

Cardiff.

CF99 1NA.

Tel: 029 2089 8725

Fax: 029 2089 8391

Constituency Address:

Paul Davies AM,

Winston Churchill House,

20, Upper Market Street,

Haverfordwest,

Pembrokeshire.

SA61 1QA.

Tel: 01437 766425

Fax: 01437 766425E-mail:

paul.davies2@wales.gov.uk