Senedd Member Joel James MS, has today highlighted his concerns with 95% of the Welsh Parliament's Commission Staff taking a Privilege Day on the same day.
During a question to The Llywydd, Joel asked for a statement on the working arrangements of Commission staff - 460 staff members who are responsible for the provision of support services to the 60 elected Senedd Members.
The Member stated last May, that he was sitting in his Senedd office in Cardiff, diligently doing his work of scrutinising the Welsh Government, when he found that he couldn't get hold of any Senedd Commission support staff whatsoever.
Through an FOI, Joel subsequently found out that 95% of the Commission workforce had taken a privilege day, which just so happened to fall straight after a bank holiday weekend.
Joel further explained:
I appreciate that the Senedd was in recess and that staff are entitled to take privilege days of their choosing, but I think it seriously inhibits the ability of Members to carry out their roles when, without notice to us, almost all of the Commission staff take the same day off.
With this in mind, Joel asked the Llywydd whether they believed it was appropriate that so many staff members took their privilege day off all at once and whether they believed that having this number of staff off in one go seriously hinders the work of Senedd Members.
Speaking about his contribution, Joel said:
This time last year, 95% of the Welsh Parliament's Commission Staff will take tomorrow off as a 'Privilege Day' - I wonder how many will do it this year?
Commission Staff are meant to support the Welsh Parliament and ensure its successful functioning as a democratic body.
I've got no issue with staff taking a privilege day, per se, but I doubt very few private companies could cope with 95% of their staff taking a random Tuesday off.
To watch Joel's Senedd contribution in full, please click here.
