The Senedd’s powers to scrutinise the work of the Welsh Government are similar to those of the UK Parliament. Most such work is carried out in committee.
There are three types of committees – standing committees, subject committees and regional committees.
The standing committees of the Senedd include the Audit and Legislation Committees, as well as the Business, Equality of Opportunity, External Affairs, Standards of Conduct and House Committees. They are made up of the Assembly Members and their party composition reflects that of the Assembly.
The subject committees in the Senedd must correspond to the portfolios of the Welsh Ministers. Each Minister is a member of the committee that reflects their portfolio. The other members are elected by the Assembly and again their party composition reflects that of the Assembly. Each subject committee normally has nine members.
The regional committees of the Senedd are North Wales, Mid Wales, South East Wales and South West Wales. They are made up of all the constituency and regional AMs for the areas covered by the committees.
A Planning Decision Committee, chaired by the relevant Minister, makes decisions on planning matters.
Other committees can be set up according to the will of the Assembly. An example of such a committee is a committee set up to consider a piece of Wales-only UK legislation such as the Public Audit (Wales) Bill in 2003.
Senedd Committees normally sit in public, except for the Planning Decision, Business and House Committees.
Senedd Committees normally meet on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays when the Assembly is sitting. They do not to sit when a plenary session is in progress.
