National Assembly for Wales

The National Assembly for Wales’ Petitions System - Guidance

The National Assembly for Wales is responsible for holding the Welsh Assembly Government  to account by scrutinising actions it takes and how it spends public money.

The National Assembly is committed to increasing its engagement with the people of Wales. We want you to know how our open and accessible ways of working allow Welsh citizens to have direct influence over the accountability of government.

The petitions system provides one way for Welsh citizens to ensure that the National Assembly knows about issues affecting them.  You can also let Assembly Members know your views by getting involved with other committee inquiries; when we’re scrutinising legislation; or just by emailing Members directly via links on our website.

Which subjects can be considered through the petitions process?

The National Assembly can consider any subject that affects Wales or Welsh citizens; however it has no powers regarding matters reserved to the UK Government.

The National Assembly currently has significant powers under the following policy areas:

  • Agriculture, fisheries, forestry and rural development
  • Ancient monuments and historic buildings
  • Culture
  • Economic development
  • Education and training
  • Environment
  • Fire and rescue services and promotion of fire safety
  • Food
  • Health and health services
  • Highways and transport
  • Housing
  • Local government
  • National Assembly for Wales
  • Public administration
  • Social welfare
  • Sport and recreation
  • Tourism
  • Town and country planning
  • Water and flood defence
  • Welsh language

How does the National Assembly’s Petitions process work?

Submitting your petition

We accept written petitions, and particularly encourage use of our e-petitions system.  All petitions are considered for admissibility according to rules set out in the National Assembly’s Standing Orders.  If you are using the e-petitions system you will have to submit your petition wording before it can be hosted on our website and electronically signed by others.

If you want us to host your e-petition it has to comply with our terms and conditions, and ask the National Assembly to do something it has the power to do.  Please contact the Petitions Committee Clerk for advice and assistance with the scope and wording of your petition.

Petitions that include or ask the Assembly to consider the following will be deemed inadmissible:

  • To intervene in the operational decisions or actions of local authorities and Assembly Government Sponsored Bodies and other arms length bodies, including planning decisions.
  • Adjudication of personal or commercial interests (this is the role of a court or tribunal)
  • Matters that are sub judice (subject to legal proceedings in the courts)
  • Defamatory or offensive language (naming individuals should be avoided)
  • Matters that have already been considered (or are substantially similar to matters considered) less than a year ago and submitted by the same person/corporate body

If a petition is deemed inadmissible, the Committee Clerk will write to the lead petitioner with an explanation of why it is not acceptable.  We are happy to provide assistance and advice on how to make your petition admissible at the stage, but it is better to get the wording correct before collecting signatures.

What happens when a petition has been deemed admissible?

Stage 1 – secretariat assessment

Once submitted, a petition will be assessed by the Committee Clerk who will consider the subject and may contact the lead petitioner to request further background information.  At the same time, the petitions team may prepare briefing notes to provide a policy and legal context.  Collating this information can take a few weeks, depending on the scope and nature of the petition subject,

Stage 2 – committee consideration

Admissable petitions are considered by the Petitions Committee – a dedicated committee consisting of Assembly Members representing all the political parties of the National Assembly. The Committee meets every two weeks when the National Assembly is sitting.  It considers new petitions and decides on possible further action regarding ongoing petitions.

Petitions are brought before the Committee in the order that they have been received unless there are valid reasons for them to be considered sooner.

Typical actions the Committee can take when first considering a petition include:

  • Requesting further information from petitioners, Assembly Government Ministers or other relevant organisations either in writing, or by presentation to the Committee
  • Referring the petition to another committee, a Government/Minister or other relevant organisations,

The Committee also has the discretion to close the petition and take no further action.

When further information is received, the petition is considered again by the Committee in light of the new information.  Sometimes, the Committee will determine a  course of action without requesting a presentation or further written information.

What are the possible outcomes of a petition?

Outcomes will vary, depending on the course of action determined by the National Assembly.

The petitions system is particularly suited to heightening the profile of an issue that may not previously have been on the political agenda.  This can result in:

  • a National Assembly legislative or scrutiny committee holding an inquiry on the issue;
  • individual Assembly Members taking action themselves, for instance, by asking questions of Ministers or seeking time to debate an issue in the Assembly.

Ultimately this creates opportunities for petitioners to:

  • influence the development of new legislation  
  • propose a change of government policy or other public body’s policy

Last updated April 2008