News 

Listed below is a selection of news releases and meeting or decision summaries from PAC.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CYMRU NEWSLETTER TO ASSEMBLY MEMBERS 

Please note the following newsletter which has been sent to Assembly Members on behalf of PAC:

Dear Assembly Member

Quarterly Newsletter from Public Affairs Cymru

Winter edition

* 100th Member Milestone *

We have had a busy and productive 2 months over the Christmas and New Year period which has seen Public Affairs Cymru reach its 100th member milestone. Established in October 2006 the group has gone from strength to strength and has given its members the opportunity to network and share best practice at the regular events held. Announcing the success, Chair of Public Affairs Cymru Daran Hill, said that he was delighted to see the group reach the 100 member mark. "This is an amazing result after only a year and half in running. We are offering more and more opportunities to those working in the public affairs sector and I look forward to reaching our next milestone".

* PAC Gala Dinner, Christmas Carols, Annual Lecture, Newsroom Tour *

The new Executive, which was elected at the October AGM, has been busy drawing together an active and exciting events programme for its members for the forthcoming year, a number of which have already taken place with great success. On November 20th we held our first ever PAC Gala Dinner at the Pierhead Building. Over 100 public affairs professionals attended what was a very successful evening which saw Carwyn Jones, Counsel General and Leader of the House, as guest speaker.

On 19th December PAC members got together to sing with a charitable purpose when we teamed up to raise money for the Eisteddfod with a Christmas Carol Concert – nearly £100 was raised. On the 30th January, leading Welsh academic and political commentator Professor Richard Wyn Jones addressed PAC members and others on the role of civic society and public attitudes to devolution. An excellent turn-out of PAC Members, 11 Assembly Members and associated support staff added to the Annual Lecture with a lively question and answer session.

In February, Public Affairs Cymru members were given an exclusive behind the scenes look at the working of BBC Wales newsgathering and programme production by Head of Newsgathering Ruth Sully. The Tour of the BBC Newsroom was an extremely well attended event and replicated the success of this event which was run last year.

* Forthcoming Activity*

Our events schedule for our members over the next 6 months is particularly full and offer a number of social, educational and networking opportunities. Events will include our attendance at party conference dinners, an event for members in Westminster, a seminar on perspectives of delivering LCOs as well as open discussions and a joint event with Cyswllt.

* Keep in Touch *

If you have any thoughts or suggestions you would like to share regarding Public Affairs Cymru please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. Our website (www.publicaffairscymru.org) is regularly updated.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CYMRU REACHES 100 MEMBERS 

Public Affairs Cymru is today (11 January 2008) celebrating a major milestone having just welcomed its 100th member. Emyr Williams of the Legal Services Commission became the 100th person to join the Group. Established in October 2006 the group has gone from strength to strength and has given its members the opportunity to network and share best practice at the regular events held.

Announcing the success, Chair of Public Affairs Cymru Daran Hill, said that he was delighted to see the group reach the 100 member mark. "This is an amazing result after only a year and half in running. We are offering more and more opportunities to those working in the public affairs sector and I look forward to reaching our next milestone".

Membership Officer Kate Lewis confirmed the success; she said "I am very pleased to welcome our 100th member to Public Affairs Cymru. Our success is testament to the growing number of public affairs professionals based in Wales and the strength of our profession".
"We are looking to reach out to any new potential members and are keen to hear from anyone who would like to get involved in Public Affairs Cymru. The forthcoming year promises to build on our successes and I am sure that we will continue to grow in numbers and the opportunities that we can offer our members" Kate added.

PAC will continue to offer a number of opportunities to its members over the forthcoming year with the aim of holding a members' event every month. Forthcoming planned activities include the PAC Annual Lecture with guest speaker, visit to the BBC Newsroom and receptions at the National Assembly and National Eisteddfod.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CYMRU 2nd ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

On October 11th 2007, Public Affairs Cymru held its second Annual General Meeting. Outgoing Chair Russell Lawson oversaw proceedings and welcomed around 30 members to the AGM. The newly elected Executive for 2007-08 were also confirmed in post.

The key decisions taken by the meeting were to:

A presentation from Dr Non Gwilym, Head of External Affairs at the Assembly Commission, provided much food for thought and pointed to the successful working relationship that has now developed between Public Affairs Cymru and the National Assembly.

The newly elected Chair of PAC for 2007-08, Daran Hill, said: "I am delighted that PAC members have chosen me to take the organisation forward. We have achieved much in our first year, but there are still great challenges of public perception and a lack of understanding of the public affairs industry. PAC will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping and promoting public affairs in Wales over the next year.

"The lobbying of politicians and governmental institutions is an important activity. It occurs in all free and democratic societies, and is indeed a fundamental democratic right. Lobbyists act as a bridge between policy makers and wider civil society. It ensures that politicians and civil servants are aware of the needs, desires and interests of particular groups of people or organisations."

Darren Hughes, Welsh Affairs Officer for the General Medical Council, is Vice-Chair of PAC for a second year. He said: "Since our inaugural AGM 12 months ago we have built up a membership base of over eighty people, put the organisation on a secure financial footing, and have laid strong foundations on which to build in our second year.

"Our goal is to improve the image and increase understanding of public affairs in Wales. We will share professional best practice and provide a forum for a real exchange of views. It's been an exciting first year, but I'm sure the scope of our activities will widen as we work with the Assembly with its increased powers and broader remit."

A full minuted note of this meeting can be found here soon.

NEW EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ELECTED FOR 2007-08

The deadline for nominations closed on October 4th for the new Executive Committee of Public Affairs Cymru. Four members of the previous Committee have stayed on, and five new members have joined, representing a wide cross section of the industry in Wales.

Continuing members are: Daran Hill (Positif Politics), who has become the new Chair of Public Affairs Cymru; Darren Hughes (General Medical Council), who remains as Vice Chair; Philippa Ford (Chartered Society of Physiotherapy), who stays as Treasurer; and Kate Lewis (Morgan Allen Moore). The newly elected members are Sara Jones (Environment Agency Wales); Llio Penri (StrataMatrix); Alun Gruffudd (Citizens Advice Cymru); Joe Ferris (Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry Wales); and Claire Bottomley (Mind Cymru).

The remainder of the Executive Committee roles will be allocated at the first full meeting of the Executive on November 8th.

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION SELECT COMMITTEE TO ENQUIRE INTO LOBBYING INDUSTRY

PAC has welcomed Westminster's Public Administration Select Committee's decision to hold an inquiry into the lobbying industry. The Committee is calling for interested organisations and individuals to submit evidence to the inquiry. The inquiry will be the first Parliamentary inquiry on lobbying since the 1991 report from the Select Committee on Members’ interests. For full terms of reference and a fuller explanation of the issues and questions that the Committee would like addressed in evidence, please see this Issues and Questions Paper. Responses should be received by 21st September 2007.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CYMRU GOES ONLINE

Meeting in Cardiff, public affairs professionals in their representative body Public Affairs Cymru were also introduced to their new website - a vital communications tool to keep them in touch with one another and provide a focus for their work. The site can be found at: www.publicaffairscymru.com

The site has been developed to provide details on forthcoming and past networking events organised by PAC for its broader membership, which recently rose to 53 members. The site also offers a notice board for members to share information such as job advertisements or social events.

Launching the site at one of the regular meetings of PAC, Russell Lawson, Chair of PAC, said: "This website is a really modern and useful way for PAC members to interact with one another and keep up to date with what the PAC Exec has planned for the next six months. Our varied programme includes a chance to meet Assembly Members, tour the BBC news facilities in Llandaff, and we're even working out logistics for a visit to Northern Ireland."

PAC Communications Officer Daran Hill, who developed the site on behalf of the PAC Executive, said: "The Executive Committee is really proud to have entered the online age. During the recent Assembly election political blogging was all the rage and the place for Welsh politics is now definitely on the internet. PAC has caught up very quickly."

The PAC website was unveiled to members to coincide with the first meeting of PAC since the Assembly Election on May 3rd. The guest speaker at the meeting in Las Iguanas, Cardiff on May 10th was Vaughan Roderick, Welsh Affairs Editor of BBC Wales and himself a ground-breaking and news-breaking blogger.

 PUBLIC AFFAIRS CYMRU HOLDS FIRST PARTY CONFERENCE EVENT

Chair of PAC, Russell Lawson, welcomed 24 current and would-be PAC members to a private dinner held in Llandudno on Friday 23rd February. Public affairs officers from across Wales were at Llandudno for the Welsh Labour Annual Conference, and took advantage of the situation to meet together for a meal in convivial surroundings.

Claire Lawson, Events Officer of PAC, who organised the event commented: "This was a really fun event and was enjoyed by all who came along. The Osborne House provided a great setting for a stimulating evening reflecting on the latest in Welsh policy and politics. From the feedback we got, this is definitely something we'll be doing again."

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CYMRU GETS EXTERNAL RECOGNITION FOR THE FIRST TIME

Francesca Montemaggi, Communications Officer (Membership) has been invited to represent PAC at the steering group setting up a future conference on the 'new' Assembly. She was invited to do so by the Presiding Officer, and her appointment reflects her experience in law and devolution in several countries.

This is the first time an external body has requested a member of PAC liaise with it since its inception.

Francesca Montemaggi commented on her appointment: "This is a big step forward for PAC as a representative body of the wider public affairs world in Wales. The Presiding Officer has been very supportive of our new fledgling organisation, and I am both honoured and pleased to be asked to participate in this exciting project. A stakeholder-based conference can do much to inform and develop policy and politics in Wales."

A FREE MAGAZINE TO ALL PAC SUPPORTERS!

Great news – Public Affairs Cymru has teamed up with Public Affairs News to offer PAC members and would-be members a free copy of their March issue. With the Assembly Elections in less than three months, it especially spotlights the Public Affairs scene in Wales with special features from: Lord Elis-Thomas AM on the Assembly’s approach to the lobbying industry; Russell Lawson, Chair of Public Affairs Cymru; Darren Hughes of the General Medical Council; and Sally Dawson (Public Affairs News editor), who assesses why the Welsh Assembly Government prefers to lobby Westminster for EU funding, rather than make its case directly to Brussels.

Members were able to obtain a free copy, by contacting Public Affairs News before Thursday 22nd February.

PAC MAKES HEADLINES OUTSIDE WALES

As reported in February 2007 issue of Public Affairs News

A new group to raise the profile of professional lobbying in Wales and enhance Assembly decision-making will be launched at Cardiff Bay on Thursday (18th January 2007). Public Affairs Cymru (PAC) has been set up as an umbrella group for lobbyists to raise the standards and enhance the reputation of public affairs locally. Their first major event will be an address by the Presiding Officer, Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas. The group's first committee was elected with the mission to act as a bridge between policy makers and wider civil society.

Chair of PAC, Russell Lawson, said: "Members come from a wide range of backgrounds - commercial public affairs and PR companies, the voluntary sector, education, and trade associations, and our goal is to make sure lobbying at the Assembly is undertaken professionally and responsibly.

"PAC is going to promote networking, organise events and to promote good practice among all organisations that are involved in political lobbying in Wales," he said.

Follow this link for the full story >>>

ASSEMBLY PRESIDING OFFICER HELPS LAUNCH NEW LOBBYISTS GROUP FOR WALES

The first PAC speaker event of the new year was an address by the Presiding Officer, Rt Hon Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas AM. On Thursday 18th January 2007, the Presiding Officer met with over thirty public affairs professionals in a formal PAC meeting and addressed them on the importance of responsible and creative lobbying in a modern and dynamic Wales. In an often humourous and candid speech, Dafydd Elis-Thomas reflected on the changes to Wales brought about by the Assembly and the importance of a forward-looking policy community which can shape and improve lives in Wales. Including questions, which came from all parts of the public affairs world in Wales, the meeting lasted over two hours.

Reflecting on the success of the meeting, Chair of PAC, Russell Lawson, said: "Tonight was about quality and quantity. We had a very stimulating presentation delivered to a larger number of people than were present when we launched PAC back in October. With members now joining up rapidly, this all points to a successul new venture which is gaining support and forging new links for public affairs professionals in Wales."

PAC MEETS FOR A MERRY CHRISTMAS

Festive were the spirits indeed as PAC members met on 18th December 2006 to look back at an interesting year, and look forward to an even more stimulating one. The Christmas Social in SALT, Cardiff Bay, was the first of many jolly social affairs being organised to bring public affairs professionals together. Thankfully none of the event was captured for posterity, especially not the carols in Latin or the choral renditions of show tunes.

PAC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OFF TO A FLYING START

The nine members of the Executive of Public Affairs Cymru met for the first time on Thursday 30th November to allocate roles and decide on the shape of their work for the coming year. Dates were pencilled in for four formal meetings, and it was also agreed to hold a PAC dinner at the Labour Party Conference in Llandundo in February. The key priorities for the next six months will include a membership drive and the establishment of a website to enable PAC to communicate with its membership and more broadly.

Chair of PAC, Russell Lawson, said: "This meeting was a really strong start. Nine talented people have given up their time and come together to help shape a new forum for public affairs in Wales. I'm sure the effectiveness of this meeting augurs well for the future. Now we need to turn the ideas into action, to demonstrate to the wider public affairs world in Wales that PAC can offer real added value."

Details of Executive Committee members and roles, and of the early events scheduled by the Committee, can be found on this site. 

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CYMRU IS LAUNCHED

On October 27th 2006, public affairs in Wales took a big step forward with the establishment of Public Affairs Cymru (PAC). Twenty three professionals came together to agree the draft constitution and elect a Committee of nine people. A presentation from Glyn Roberts of the Northern Ireland Government Affairs Group (NIGAG) helped point the way toward effective future working.

The newly elected Chair of PAC, Russell Lawson, said: "Tonight was a fantastic start to PAC. Our goal is to make sure lobbying at the Assembly is undertaken professionally and responsibly - while sharing professional best practice and providing a forum for a real exchange of views. Watch this space."

A full minuted note of this meeting can be found here.