The primary functions of the committees are to check and challenge the work of the Welsh Government and to scrutinise laws both before and after they are passed, proposing changes when needed.
Committees also hear from those outside of the Senedd. Members of the public, organisations, and experts are often called upon to share their perspectives or personal experiences with the committee.
Importantly, Senedd committees make sure that the work of the Welsh Government is conducted openly, ensuring that both the government and other public bodies are answerable for their actions.
Although some committee meetings are held in private, often the public are able to sit in on them.
The business committee facilitates the effective organisation of Senedd proceedings. Following an election, it is the first committee to be set up.
Once the First Minister has elected a minister responsible for government business they must, as soon as possible, table a motion to appoint members to the business committee.
Heledd Fychan, MS for Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr, was appointed this week as both leader of the house and chief whip, and is therefore responsible for overseeing government business in the Senedd.
Membership of the committee must include the presiding officer, who will chair proceedings, and one member from each political group with more than five Senedd Members.
The responsibilities of the business committee include deciding how many plenary meetings there will be in a week, proposing committee remits and names, and recesses.
As soon as the business committee has been formed, it can move on to setting up other committees, which must cover every area where the Welsh Government and associated public bodies have responsibility.
All matters relating to the legislative competence of the Senedd, and functions of the government ministers and counsel general, must also be subject to the scrutiny of a committee.
There will also be some new committees including one to review the Senedd’s new electoral arrangements; a committee to look at job-sharing for certain office holders; and a new or existing committee which considers how a code of conduct for members should apply to their conduct during their time as a candidate at a Senedd election.
