Past Events
What is the All-Wales Convention and what is its significance to public affairs practitioners in Wales and civil society at large? - 25th September
These questions were answered by the Chair of the All-Wales Convention, Sir Emyr Jones Parry, who spoke to PAC members at the Senedd on Thursday 25 September. Sir Emyr Jones Parry was joined by other members of the Convention and they guided us through the work of the Convention and its timetable. This event was organised with the support of Mike German AM.
Sorted: Civic lotteries and the future of public participation - 23rd September
Public Affairs Cymru held an event in conjunction with Bethan Jenkins AM
to publicise the work of Peter MacLeod, a cutting edge examiner of public
participation who addressed us on his pamphlet "Sorted: Civic lotteries
and the future of public participation". Inspired by Canada's first Citizens'
Assemblies, his position on involving citizens in constitutional decision
making is well reflected in his presentation, which can be accessed here.
Reception at the Eisteddfod - 8th August
With the National Eisteddfod in Cardiff, PAC teamed up with Cyswllt (the Welsh language communications professionals network) and the Royal Television Society to host a reception on the field at the S4/C tent. The guest speaker was Guto Harri, former BBC political correspondent and former public affairs consultant with Fleishman-Hillard, who had recently moved to become Communications Adviser to the new Mayor of London, Boris Johnson. Guto Harri provided a frank inside account of the news making process and reflected on his attitudes to the public affairs and public relations industries, both as a journalist and a practitioner. The real highlight was of course his recent appointment to Boris Johnson's team and his belief in the importance of character in communicating politics.
In the photograph are Tim Hartley, Cyswllt chair; Guto Harri; and Daran Hill, PAC chair..
PAC reception at the National Assembly - 8th July
Nearly half the Assembly Members and over 60 PAC members and invited guests attended our annual networking event at the Assembly. It was a great reflection of the diversity of the PAC membership and the success of the group after just two years of operation. Daran Hill, chair of PAC, and Nick Bourne AM, Leader of the Welsh Conservative Group, who sponsored the event, both recognised this in their speeches to the attendees, who were also encouraged to consider standing for next year's PAC Executive.
PAC Trip to Northern Ireland – 24th and 25th June
6 PAC members spent a fascinating couple of days in Northern Ireland in the company of our counterparts from the Northern Ireland Government Affairs Group (www.nigag.org ). They had helped arrange a fantastic programme for us – the speaker at the dinner they’d organised on the Tuesday evening was Gerry Moriarty, a journalist who’d covered much of the Troubles and the political ups and downs that followed, who spoke movingly and intelligently about the recent political history he’d witnessed; this was followed on the Wednesday by an equally fascinating and informative morning at Stormont, where PAC members met with politicians from most of the main political parties, and with officials from the Assembly, who they quizzed on a wide variety of issues including the Assembly’s legislative powers, the parties' policies on gender balance, and the pros and cons of coalition government.
This was PAC’s first trip outside the British mainland and all those who came found it to be a useful and enjoyable experience. We’re now looking forward to hosting our NI counterparts when they make the return trip to Cardiff and are already thinking about organising a similar excursion to Scotland!
Tour of Parliament and Briefing from Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales Huw Irranca-Davies MP
25 Public Affairs Cymru members visited the palace of Westminster for our first event outside Wales. Huw Irranca-Davies the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Wales hosted a briefing session for PAC members in Committee Room 21 of the House of Commons on the work of the Wales Office and how legislation emanating in the National Assembly is looked at by the Wales Office, the Welsh Affairs Select Committee, Welsh MPs and ultimately both Houses of Parliament.
The Minister was accompanied by senior civil servant Paul Jones who heads the Legislative Process Branch in the Wales Office and the event was chaired by PAC vice chair Darren Hughes. We were given a presentation of approximately half an hour on the work of the Wales office and the Westminster Government's draft legislative programme. As well as explaining the process whereby Legislative Competence Orders are handled the Minister also covered the process whereby the UK Government can convey powers on the Welsh Assembly by way of "framework powers" contained within Acts of Parliament, these "matters" can then be inserted into schedule 5 of the Government of Wales Act. A process which was unclear or unknown to many PAC members.
The Minister set out clearly that he didn't see the role of the Wales Office or Secretary of State to veto LCOs but moreso to ensure that the Welsh Assembly did not stray beyond the boundaries of its legislative competence. The presentations were followed by a lively question and answer session with many questions that both the Minister and Paul Jones hadn't anticipated or expected so we're told. Many questions related to how those organisations present could influence progress of legislation that they have an interest in once it has left Cardiff and began its passage through Westminster.
Commenting on the event Darren Hughes said "This was a key milestone in the development of PAC as an organisation with our first event outside Wales and our first event in Westminster. Huw Irranca-Davies gave us a fascinating insight into the work of the Wales Office and the legislative process the legislation emanating from Wales goes through when it reaches Westminster. The Q&A session sparked a lively debate that went on to look at the relationship between Parliament and the National Assembly for Wales. Many of us have heard the views of Assembly Ministers and Members on the subject so it was very useful to hear about it from a Westminster perspective. Without exception those that attended found the event enjoyable and went away knowing more about the mechanics of the Wales Office and Westminster than when they arrived.
" I would also like to extend our thanks to Baroness Llin Golding, Pete at Lembit Opik's office, James Bevan from Chris Bryant's office and James from Roger Williams office for taking groups on short tours of the Palace of Westminster prior to the event ."
Carers Issues
On May 15th, Helen Mary Jones AM and Maggie Titterton of Carers Wales gave PAC members an introduction to the Carers LCO that Helen Mary is hoping to introduce. Attendees were treated to an insider's view of the LCO process from the Plaid AM, and joined in a lively discussion with the speakers about why the LCO is needed and on carers issues more generally. Maggie's presentation is available here.
Review of Public Service Broadcasting
On Tuesday 22 April, PAC and Cyswllt, the network for Welsh language communications professionals, co-hosted an event at Ofcom’s Wales office. Almost 30 people attended to hear about Ofcom’s second public service television broadcasting review.
Rhodri Williams, Ofcom Wales Director, shared his insight into broadcasting in Wales and how new technologies, such as digital TV and online broadcasting, is putting pressure on the traditional public service broadcasting model. Rhodri also presented future models which are under consultation, which would potentially help ensure Wales receives its share of UK programming commissions to safeguard the broadcasting sector in Wales. Furthermore there would be a need for programming, both within Wales and across the UK, to better represent Wales, its people, its culture and its politics.
PAC and Cyswllt members enjoyed a lively discussion, which continued over wine and fine food.
In the photograph are Hywel Wiliam, Ofcom, Tim Hartley, Cyswllt chair, Daran Hill, PAC chair, and Rhodri Williams Ofcom.
Child Poverty
On the 18th March, PAC members were roused into an open and engaging debate on the topic of child poverty. Anne Crowley, Deputy Director of Campaigns and Policy at Save the Children Programme in Wales, gave a thought provoking presentation on child poverty, providing facts and figures informing the public and policy debate on eradicating child poverty and also challenged myths surrounding child poverty and how this affected public perceptions. This event certainly demonstrated the close interest the public affaris industry has on the issue of child poverty and provide a platform for future debate on the role of civic society in achieving the goal of eradicating child poverty. A copy of Anne Crowley's slides are available here.
Perspectives on Delivering LCO's
On 27th February PAC members were treated to an excellent evening of debate and disucssion on the topic of LCOs. Lee Waters, Director of Sustrans Cymru, provided us with an insight into his campaign for an LCO to place a duty on WAG to develop and maintain a network of traffic free shared use paths for walkers, cyclists and disabled people across Wales. He detailed his work bringing together a range of organisations to support his campaign, presenting the petition to the Assembly Committee and offered views on drafting Welsh legislation.
From the legislators perspective, Jonathan Morgan AM reflected on his LCO on Mental Health which has recently been laid and his experience as the only Assembly Member to have Chaired a Committee scrutinising a Draft Assembly Measure. He offered insight into the pressures on the new system, but also hope that it can work effectively if properly planned and delivered.
Tour of the BBC Newsroom
On 7th February a dozen Public Affairs Cymru stalwarts 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 began at the newsgathering desks and PAC Members were taken through the process of what happens when a press release arrives at the BBC.
Public Affairs Cymru Annual Lecture
Professor Richard Wyn Jones: Devolution: The Next Step. And the one after that...
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 as we move toward the next phase of devolution as, to use the famous phrase, a process not an event. An excellent turn-out of PAC Members, Assembly Members and associated support staff added to the evening with a lively question and answer session.
Slides and notes from the evening are available here: Lecture, Slides
Christmas Carol Concert
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, and everyone was in fine voice.
PAC Gala Dinner
On Tuesday 20th November 2007 at the prestigious Pierhead Building in Cardiff Bay, over one hundred public affairs professionals, Assembly Members and guests gathered to celebrate the first year of Public Affairs Cymru and look to the future.
Daran Hill, Chair of Public Affairs Cymru, welcomed guests and the guest speaker at the PAC gala dinner was Carwyn Jones AM, Counsel General and Leader of the House. In a well-received speech he emphasised to guests the value of the ideas that public affairs professionals, both in-house and agency, bring to the policy making process.
To see pictures of the dinner please visit Images from the Dinner.
Annual General Meeting
Thursday 11th October 2007, 6.00pm, upstairs room @ Infusion Restaurant, Bute St, CardiffThe members of PAC gathered to elect their new Committee, revisit the Constitution, and reflect of achievements and progress over the past year. Members voted to adopt the new Constitution; to fix the membership fee at £35; and to introduce a rolling system of membership where individuals/organisations become members for a year from the date of joining. Guest speaker Dr Non Gwilym, Head of External Relations at the Assembly Commission, provided an informative and engaging description of the work of the new body.
Open Executive Meeting
Monday 17th September 2007, 6.00pm, Waterguard in Mermaid Quay, Cardiff
This was a chance for PAC members to sit in on an Executive meeting, share views and offer ideas for the future.
Tour of the BBC
Thursday 9th August 2007, 5.30pm, BBC Wales in Llandaff
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 began at the newsgathering desks where Ruth Sully explained how the team gather and process information. Ruth explained that the team broadly classify news into two types; news that they know is going to happen such as campaign launches, certain government announcements, General and Local Elections; and news that they don't know is going to happen such as crimes or major accidents.
PAC Members were taken through the process of what happens when a press release arrives at the BBC and what will decide whether the release makes the news or ends up in the bin. BBC Wales receives up 300 press releases per day and only a tiny number of them get any coverage. The main mistakes that organisations make was explained as well as a few valuable tips to make press releases more interesting.
Members were also allowed access to the gallery and could watch first hand what goes on behind the scenes during the production of BBC Wales flagship news programme "Wales Today."
Darren Hughes, who coordinated the event for PAC, said "The BBC tour was a very enjoyable and hugely insightful event. Many PAC members will have been involved in sending out press releases or trying to get media coverage for events and it was very helpful to be able to see things from the other side of the fence. How many members have been closely involved in campaigns or launches then sent out a press release thinking that what they were saying was hugely important and worthy of news coverage only to be disappointed not to receive coverage? BBC's Head of Newsgathering Ruth Sully explained clearly that all too often they receive press releases with vital information left out or where the author assumed that the person reading the release knew as much they did about the subject. All PAC members who attended agreed that they had learnt a lot from the event that would help them perform their jobs more effectively in the future."
Meet the Members
Tuesday 10th July 2007, 5.30pm, Oriel, National Assembly for Wales
Over thirty PAC members attended the event at the National Assembly to discuss the changing world of public affairs in Wales. Almost half all Assembly Members attended and it provided an excellent opportunity for PAC members to network with AMs, including several of the new ones. We were able to put on the event at no charge to the members and were able to put on free food an drink, a vital incentive to encourage AMs to come along. The event raised the profile of PAC and helped increase understanding of the work that PAC does on behalf of its members amongst AMs.
What Future for S4/C2?
Wednesday 4th July, 5.30pm, Waterguard, Cardiff Bay
PAC held a meeting on one of the hot topics in Welsh broadcasting. S4/C has recently ended a consultation regarding expanding its broadcast provision to children and young people on its digital channels. Some of the options under consideration included reducing the amount of political broadcasting available on S4/C2. The speakers at the event were John Walter Jones, Chairman S4/C; Carys Howell, Board Member; and Tim Hartley, Corporate Affairs Director. Members were pleased to welcome them and valued the opportunity to discuss openly how S4/C might continue to play a role in broadcasting the National Assembly in the future.
One Week On: Reflections on the Assembly Election of 2007
Thursday 10 May 2007, 5.30pm, Las Iguanas in Mill Lane, Cardiff
One of Wales' leading political broadcasters, Vaughan Roderick of BBC Cymru Wales, offered Public Affairs Cymru his perspective on the 2007 Assembly Election. Vaughan gave a hugely insightful and informative run-through of the election campaign, the results and how things might have turned out ever so differently if a few votes had been cast differently. The event was attended by over 40 Public Affairs Cymru members and guests with several new members joining on the night.
Darren Hughes who chaired the event on behalf of the PAC Executive commented "There was an excellent turnout at Las Iguanas to hear Wales most experienced political journalist, Vaughan Roderick give us his take on the campaigns run by each party, how they were perceived by the public, what effect they had on votes and the make up of the Assembly. Vaughan had done a thorough analysis of the voting patterns and clearly explained, how for the first time ever in Wales, that there were indications of tactical voting where a significant number of people voted for different parties in the constituency to the regional list. Vaughan is a very highly respected commentator and is the veteran of more elections than he'd care to mention. I think it is a great testament to PAC and our membership that we are able to attract such high calibre speakers and achieve such a large turnout at our events which as well as being informative and enjoyable, are great opportunities to network."
Plaid Cymru Conference Dinner
Friday 23 March 2007, 8.00pm, The Black Boy, Caernarfon
The final PAC Conference dinner of the season was concluded with a look back to success so far and a look forward to the election campaign ahead.
PAC Liberal Democrat Conference Dinner
Friday 9 March 2007, 7.30pm, Renaissance, Swansea
This was the second of PAC's conference dinners, and saw ten public affairs professionals meet in Swansea for a fine supper and some meaningful conversation.
PAC Labour Conference Dinner
Friday 23rd February 2007, 7.30pm, Osborne House, Llandudno
Public affairs professionals from across Wales congregated on Llandudno for the last Welsh Labour Conference before the Assembly Election, and took advantage of being in the same place on a quiet Friday night by enjoying a luxury meal at the well regarded Osborne House Hotel.
Address by the Presiding Officer, Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas AM
Thursday 18th Januay 2007, 5.30pm, National Assembly for Wales
Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas AM reflected on the changing role of the National Assembly for Wales, and the ways in which it can interact with public affairs professionals in the future.
Christmas Social
Monday 18th December 2006, 5.30pm, SALT, Mermaid Quay
The first Public Affairs Cymru networking event since the new constitution was adopted, this evening was a good networking opportunity for members and non-members.
Table at Welsh Politician of the Year
Thursday 30th November 2006, 7,00pm, Coal Exchange, Cardiff Bay
PAC took its first ever table at a social event at the Second Annual Welsh Politician of the Year Awards, at which the key prizes were shared by front-line politicians from all four parties.
Inaugural Meeting of Public Affairs Cymru
Friday 27th October 2006, 5.30pm, Kemi's Cafe, Cardiff Bay
Around 30 public affairs professionals from across Wales met to agree the consitution of PAC and to elect the founding Executive Committee.